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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.

See Examples For:

Chinese officials made unusual demands for the U.S. to accommodate Xi Jinping’s need for rest during a summit with President Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

“When we have the opportunity to make a play, we need to make that play and take advantage of it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Naomi said a number of factors contribute to the increased energy needs, including the need to stay warm, different sleeping patterns, and essential medical devices.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Doing so will require combining overlapping operations, and eliminating jobs without undermining the movies, television shows and streaming programming Ellison and the company need to compete for audiences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

“I’m gonna need you to have a little more shame,” Arlo says when he enters the kitchen and sees me.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Naomi said a number of factors contribute to the increased energy needs, including the need to stay warm, different sleeping patterns, and essential medical devices.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

If the Dodgers decide Ohtani needs a few days off now, they would face this unpleasant dilemma: play one man short, or put him on the injured list.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

That’s something the company needs as the user base of Facebook and Instagram ages, analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

“That doesn’t match up with people’s actual spending patterns,” he said, since people typically have variable needs and wants as retirement progresses.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

“The funeral was a week ago, so I hope so. There’s something I need to give him. Besides, I’m sure the office needs my attention. All that paperwork isn’t going to take care of itself.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

On Thursday, the boss of supplier EDF Energy, Simone Rossi, warned that the UK was "walking into a second energy crisis" and Vyas said that action was needed before bills jumped again.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

It was a decision about which team needed what he offers, and where he could make the biggest difference.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Few address the war; but then, Dickinson never needed a war to write about death.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

A captain said he expressed it was not a good idea to remove it, as it could be needed for further mop-up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

She said she needed the second job to pay for all the extra stuff, like my swim club dues.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

It also highlighted a financing gap, with developing countries needing US$310-US$365 billion to adapt, yet having only US$26 billion in adaptation finance available in 2023.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

Each chef seemed to have a recognizable point of view — something you could understand from the plate itself, without needing the chef to stand beside the table explaining it.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

Labor costs are lower, with self-service buffets needing fewer servers than a traditional restaurant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

England were left needing 19 from the last with Buttler on strike but, barely able to hobble a single, he holed out at deep mid-wicket.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

I dropped my arms from my chest, needing to swing them instead to keep up with Audrey.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence




Vocabulary lists containing need


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