necessarily

[nes-uh-sair-uh-lee, -ser-] / ˌnɛs əˈsɛər ə li, -ˈsɛr- /

ADVERB

inevitably, certainly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

automatically naturally no doubt undoubtedly unquestionably

WEAK

accordingly as a matter of course axiomatically beyond one's control by definition by its own nature cardinally come what may compulsorily consequently exigently from within fundamentally incontrovertibly indubitably ineluctably inescapably inexorably irresistibly of course of necessity perforce positively pressingly significantly unpreventably vitally willy-nilly without fail

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully questionably

WEAK

unnecessarily

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.

Actually, crediting the Kings with playing playoff hockey isn’t necessarily a compliment since the team hasn’t won a postseason series since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2014.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Jumping ship to a mutual insurance company doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better deal, but it’s a calculation many are weighing as high insurance costs strain budgets that are already feeling the inflation squeeze.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Ultimately, what a given influencer feels and believes about Trump and Iran or some other issue tells us only what they believe, and not necessarily what their followers and audience do.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

But just because a driver gets picked up by an F1 team, it doesn't necessarily mean the days of needing to find funding are over.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Why is that necessarily any better than being a mouse?

From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl

Vocabulary lists containing necessarily

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

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SHSAT: Language of the Test

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