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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.

“Remind yourself that it takes time to build new connections and that you need to get out there to be building relationships again,” Wenzke says.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“You need to tell your supplier 18 to 24 months beforehand. So yes, we’re having conversations,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama — With Lane Johnson near the end of his career, the Eagles need to start developing a huge young successor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

So on top of rent prices — which I’m finding are similar to or higher than in New York City — I’d also need to account for car expenses like insurance and gas.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“That you sometimes need to just be yourself instead of a part of the bigger community?”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith




Vocabulary lists containing need