Definitions

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.

But for a team that has churned through passers so quickly that it traded away a future Super Bowl winner in Sam Darnold, it isn’t necessarily the worst scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

But that's not necessarily true, especially in the short run.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Even if a fund does buy back shares, it doesn’t necessarily make the stock a buy for everyday investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Tom, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Lolita "doesn't necessarily belong to a specific culture".

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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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