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Definitions

must

[muhst] / mʌst /
NOUN
necessity, essential
Synonyms
STRONGEST
precondition prerequisite requisite
STRONG
charge commitment committal condition devoir duty fundamental imperative must-have necessary need obligation requirement right
WEAK
ought sine qua non
VERB
ought, should
Synonyms
STRONG
have need
WEAK
be compelled be destined be directed be doomed be driven be made be necessitated be obliged be one's fate be ordered be required got to have got to have no choice have to must needs pushed to the wall

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.

If there’s any hope of moving forward on a human, one-to-one level, how we treat each other must be drastically reexamined.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

For now, Price must be fully focused on Saturday's title defence against Pineiro.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Starship is designed to store and transfer fuel while in space, which could allow spacecraft to travel faster than systems that must carry all their fuel from launch.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

They know that fundamental questions must be answered before we rush forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The thought of a drink of water, and the hope of food, must have given new strength to my aching legs.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.