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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.

An expert witness who previously gave evidence in the Lapsus$ case involving Jubair agrees that the case demonstrates the need for stronger deterrents for the most prolific young cyber criminals.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

“You don’t need to say that, Jake. I was there in ’26, at the games, in Missouri.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

You don’t need to be a West Covina resident to qualify, and only one reward will be provided per incident.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

The TPS law says that designations need to last between 6 and 18 months.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

I don’t need to look at her to know she’s crying, too; I can hear the tears in her voice.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold




Vocabulary lists containing need


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