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Definitions

need

[need] / nid /






Usage

What are other ways to say need? The verb need often suggests urgency, stressing the necessity of supplying what is lacking: to need an operation, better food, a match to light the fire. Require, which expresses necessity as strongly as need, occurs most frequently in serious or formal contexts: Your presence at the hearing is required. Successful experimentation requires careful attention to detail. Lack means to be without or to have less than a desirable quantity of something: to lack courage, sufficient money, enough members to make a quorum. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“I’m always telling my girls that we need to stand up for what we believe in,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 21, 2026

“The ideal outcome here would be one in which you wouldn’t need an Israeli presence,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in April in a Fox News interview.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

As he puts it, they need to "make a profit".

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

"We'll ensure our armed forces have the resources they need and stand steadfast alongside our international allies, especially Ukraine."

From Barron's Jul. 20, 2026

“It’s late. You need to get some sleep,” he says.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

A total of 70% of adults who survive to age 65 develop severe “long-term services and support” care needs before they die, and 48% receive some paid care over their lifetime, according to the U.S.

From MarketWatch Jul. 21, 2026

Children with special educational needs can sometimes experience sensory difficulties when it comes to food - and are not classified as fussy eaters.

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 20, 2026

“For anyone who needs to hear this, please know: You are loved. You are worthy. You are enough. There are always brighter days ahead.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 20, 2026

I try to prepare myself for Dara’s date with Elliott—you know, motivational words like, “You don’t hate your fave cousin” and “Who needs boys anyway?”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

He also highlighted a central challenge with the AI race: Top-tier AI companies raise billions of dollars to pay for the vast computing resources needed to continue improving AI systems.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

He said that he was "acutely conscious" of the churn in the office behind him, stressing that the UK badly needed to regain stability.

From BBC Jul. 20, 2026

Crews have already welded new steel pipe on the 25-foot section that needed to be replaced.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 20, 2026

“If this was your partner’s goal and you helped your partner achieve it, I hope you’d feel glad you helped them do what they needed to do.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 20, 2026

“Trust me, I know what it’s like. I did it with my mom. I ignored how she got more unsteady, and needed more help getting up and moving around the house.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

There are worse things than needing to escape a world trying to crush you.

From Salon Jul. 20, 2026

In his talk with reporters Sunday, Ortberg also described Boeing needing to make more progress from the production floor to its balance sheet.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 19, 2026

The proposed deal faces hurdles, including Turkey needing Russian approval to re-export the S-400 system.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 18, 2026

And many who end up needing a nursing home will probably end up having it paid by Medicaid.

From MarketWatch Jul. 17, 2026

I mumble something about needing a shower and offer a half-hearted wave.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith




Vocabulary lists containing need


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