needed 1 of 2

adjective

as in necessary
impossible to do without pack only what will be needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

needed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of need
as in required
to have as a requirement a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

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 needed
Adjective
Diesel is at an all-time high because of the war; every item in your grocery store was shipped there by truck and needed diesel. — Serena Maria Daniels, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 Communication breakdowns may leave patients unaware of available services, while a lack of referrals can keep them from receiving needed care. — Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026 Schools closed before Isaias swept through the region last Friday and have been scrambling to make needed repairs to facilities while awaiting power restoration. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Many shelters are operated by nonprofit organizations but owned by the city or private entities, limiting the nonprofit’s ability to make needed improvements. — Jeffrey Ginsburg, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Among the boundaries that have been breached, according to the new report, are carbon dioxide concentrations, which reached a record 426 parts per million (ppm) because fossil fuel burning had not decreased at nearly the needed pace. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026 Attentive leaders explore more diverse, needed and applicable professional development that enables their workforce. — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Additional chances of needed rain along with much cooler weather are in the forecast heading into next week. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026 This is the airspace Gillian has carved out for herself in 2026, when her services are extra-needed. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Baryomunsi said Nigerian authorities had not provided all the information Uganda needed. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 And polls ahead of Tuesday’s Israeli elections show that his party may not win the seats needed to form a government. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Neither candidate reached the majority needed to win outright, forcing both campaigns to compete for a shrinking pool of undecided voters while trying to mobilize their supporters in a country deeply divided over its political future. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Eisenkot argued that Israel needed to concentrate its military resources on defeating Hamas in the south before embarking on another major conflict. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 Turnout is expected to be high and could push most smaller parties below the 3% threshold needed to make it into the assembly. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Previously, the incarcerated person needed to contact their town clerk, now the Secretary of State’s office provides applications directly upon request. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Both trends held true, although barely, as the Hurricanes needed two overtimes to survive another upset bid on a day filled with chaotic finishes and upsets. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Expansion also continues at Blue Origin’s Rocket Park where a $330 million building is in the works to support the manufacture of the upper stages needed for its larger New Glenn rockets. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needed
  1. necessary
  2. required
  3. essential
  4. wanted
  5. needful
  6. integral
Adjective
  • The current job climate is creating conditions where pushing past your limits may feel necessary for career survival.
    — Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Successfully navigating those kinds of conflicts will be key if Sharma is to build up the authority and credibility necessary to get Xbox back on track.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessary
Verb
  • Jullien Harneis, the UN’s senior Ebola coordinator, said the outbreak’s expanding reach required more teams, coordination and logistical support.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The United States and China are the two economies that have invested at the scale required.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • For the technology leader responsible for keeping essential services running, these details provide a basis for assessing what protections exist and what happens in an extreme scenario.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Beginning in October 2023, the convention center also reportedly implemented additional new bird-safe measures, including closing drapes and blinds overnight and turning off non-essential exterior lights.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of essential
Verb
  • The board didn’t want a remote CEO Unlike the billionaires who left, Zuckerberg runs a company whose board wanted him in the building.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Tina said Tony helped bring a publisher to the Philippines, opening doors for artists who wanted to work with major comic book companies.
    — Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wanted
Adjective
  • Her voice is slurred, needful, abject.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
  • That image of God never has a problem, never has a disease, never lacks anything needful or truly desirable, and has never sinned.
    — Douglas Sytsma, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of needful
Adjective
  • The setback has since become an integral part of the piece’s legacy.
    — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of integral

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Cite this Entry

“Needed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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