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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.

The software industry has suffering through a months-long stock slump, as investors have feared that AI agents threaten to displace the need for traditional software vendors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

“There is clearly a need to at least manage the spending going forward and not be as ambitious,” said Tim Callen, a visiting fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

A passive house is airtight and highly insulated, designed to reduce the need for air conditioning and heating to the highest extent possible.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

"If you're organised, we really need project managers. If you're good at understanding geopolitical nuance, we need space lawyers. If you're good with finance and numbers, we need economists."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“The funeral was a week ago, so I hope so. There’s something I need to give him. Besides, I’m sure the office needs my attention. All that paperwork isn’t going to take care of itself.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam




Vocabulary lists containing need