must 1 of 2

verb

məs(t)
Definition of mustnext
as in to should
to be under necessity or obligation to we must be quiet during the performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

must

2 of 2

noun

ˈməst How to pronounce must (audio)
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable exercise is a must if you want to stay healthy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of must
Verb
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Regular upkeep to prevent slips, trips and falls is a must, and failing legal obligations of inspecting properties, fixing hazards promptly or posting warning signs can lead to dire consequences. — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 No matter your skin type, hydration is a must, and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 is here to quench, replenish, and protect with broad-spectrum SPF 30. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for must
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must
  1. shall
  2. requirement
  3. necessity
  4. need
  5. necessary
Verb
  • Firms with over 10 employees shall be required to consult their employees or trade unions when formulating their out-of-work policies.
    — Faustine Ngila, Quartz, 26 Jan. 2023
  • At least until this latest lawsuit winds its way through the legal system, the foie gras wars shall continue.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2023
Definition of shall
Noun
  • The Spanish Navy and Navantia are working from operational requirements, and the final design must still go through procurement.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • American technology therefore qualified for the Commission’s own sovereign cloud requirements through a European operating structure.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • Waitlists for child care assistance exploded, forcing low-income households to sideline a parent from the workforce or forgo necessities to foot a child care bill.
    — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Waitlists for childcare assistance exploded, forcing low-income households to sideline a parent from the workforce or forgo necessities to foot a childcare bill.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessity
Noun
  • Start with the community With a pragmatic and fair approach, data center infrastructure can operate from a combination of baseload fuels, battery storage, and renewables, while prioritizing community needs and impacts.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than as a one-time session, our survivorship clinic builds relationships with survivors, supporting them as their needs change over time.
    — Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Corridors and the lobby are open-air, cleverly arranged to ventilate naturally with the wind, meaning no air-con necessary.
    — Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2026
  • At George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia there were several such necessaries on the grounds.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

mussy
must
mustachioed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Must.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on must

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about must

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All