Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

A prelude: We need more love in things.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

"But many have felt forced to do so or simply gone without the care they need."

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

For foreign investors to buy shares of SpaceX, they need to have a lot of U.S. dollars.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

And with the tournament field expanding to 48 teams, an additional round has been added to the knockout stage, meaning the U.S. would likely need three wins to reach the final eight.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

“You need an extra fighter?” he asks, insistent.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes




Vocabulary lists containing need


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "need" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com