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Definitions

need

[need] / nid /
NOUN
want, requirement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commitment demand obligation right urgency use wish
STRONG
charge committal compulsion desideratum devoir duty essential exigency extremity longing must occasion requisite weakness
WEAK
ought the urge
Antonyms
STRONG
nonessential
WEAK
comfort fortune have luxury plenty riches wealth
NOUN
poverty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lack shortage want
STRONG
deprivation destitution distress extremity impecuniousness impoverishment inadequacy indigence insufficiency neediness paucity pennilessness penury poorness privation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abundance enough plenty
STRONG
affluence sufficiency wealth
WEAK
comfort fortune have luxury riches
NOUN
emergency; pressing lack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
necessity obligation shortage urgency want
STRONG
deficiency exigency inadequacy insufficiency
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abundance
STRONG
adequacy enough plenty sufficiency
WEAK
comfort fortune have luxury riches wealth
VERB
want something
Synonyms
STRONGEST
call for demand desire lack require
STRONG
claim covet crave exact hanker hunger long lust miss necessitate pine thirst wish yearn
WEAK
be deficient be deprived be down and out be hard up be in need of be in want be inadequate be needy be poor be short be without die for do without drive for feel a dearth of feel the necessity for feel the pinch go hungry have occasion for have occasion to have use for hurt for suffer privation yen for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
have not want
STRONG
abjure despise dislike give hate
WEAK
do not want

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 need to support the rupiah could force BI to resume rate hikes as early as this month, despite the risk that poses to economic growth, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

They also showed greater progression of osteoarthritis and were more likely to need additional knee surgery compared to those who did not receive the actual procedure.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

A charity that distributes unsold, but still edible food from supermarkets to people in need has formed a partnership with Hereford Cathedral.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

I think every round that you advance in the playoffs, you need to elevate all of the stuff even more.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Let me know if you need help with setup.

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

Vocabulary lists containing need

"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 1

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Lyrics from "Umbrella" by Rihanna

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"Inventing to Solve a Problem"

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