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.

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security announced that “except in extraordinary circumstances,” immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency must leave the U.S. to complete the process.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

But if someone is buying you a $50 steak, he says, they must be getting big commissions.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 12, 2026

Both of those leveraged, inverse funds have lost more than 99.9% of their value and must keep reverse splitting and issuing more shares to stay viable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Fed chair Kevin Warsh must navigate a divided central bank committee, elevated inflation, and market expectations of the probability for an interest-rate hike.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

I know I must look awful, but I don’t care.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

must

Example Sentences

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