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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.

Farmers and communities also need control over their own data and knowledge.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

There should be no need for a double whammy for borrowers in the form of higher interest rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Bass, asked about the worrisome trend, said she believes that Inside Safe participants need more services to address those issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

However, their affiliated fundraising arms – including those supporting athletics – are set up as separate nonprofit foundations and typically need to apply for and receive that designation.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

It’s then that I remember the email that said we’d need our key fobs to access the pool if we wanted to swim before eight a.m. on weekdays.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam