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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.

These include your wife’s expected longevity — someone who anticipates a longer retirement may benefit from higher monthly payments later on — as well as whether you need the additional income immediately.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Mitochondria are best known for generating the energy cells need to function, but scientists now understand that they do much more.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

“We need a miracle and we know God is able.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

"Told me I need to get on the glass, offensive glass especially, and just use my ability, size, strength, athleticism, to make an impact on the offensive glass," Anunoby said.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

I search the drawers and find what I need.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold




Vocabulary lists containing need


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