must-have 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of must-havenext
as in essential
impossible to do without aprons are must-have accessories for the cooking class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

must-have

2 of 2

noun

ˈməst-ˌhav How to pronounce must-have (audio)
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable hiking boots are a must-have for this trip

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-have
Noun
Chanyarn Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater As evidenced by Pamela Anderson, a black turtleneck is a fall must-have. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 For most metro Atlanta drivers, AWD is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have. — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Replace your daily must-haves, and keep a small pouch inside for loose items like lip balm, hair ties, and bobby pins. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026 Keep scrolling to discover more must-haves in fashion, home, kitchen, and outdoor. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for must-have
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-have
  1. essential
  2. must
  3. necessary
  4. requirement
  5. integral
  6. necessity
  7. required
  8. needed
Adjective
  • The brand believes that allowing attendees to see, touch and fully appreciate the craftsmanship, materials and details of the garments is essential to convey the full value of the collection.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • For community associations and other property owners, maintaining safe conditions to avoid injuries is essential to satisfying their duty and minimizing exposure to potentially severe financial and legal liabilities.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of essential
Noun
  • 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
  • The breakfast buffet is a must to gain the energy to hike the trails through drenching spray later.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of must
Adjective
  • The policy directs higher education institutions not to create a list of student names linked with immigration status or retain sensitive information, like a student or parent’s Social Security number, for longer than necessary.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessary
Noun
  • The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The new changes in the electoral law ease some requirements for candidates seeking office, eliminate the need for some financial documents and a mandatory medical certificate, and introduce electronic voter registration.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Adjective
  • As a French overseas territory and integral part of the European Union, the 436-square-mile island has traditionally relied heavily on exports to Europe, particularly rum and bananas, alongside tourism.
    — Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Human oversight was integral throughout, both to validate the computational approach and to guide deeper qualitative analysis.
    — Justin Chen, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of integral
Noun
  • All contemporary, they’re stocked with necessities (from towels to toiletries).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Headphones can be a pricey necessity for music lovers, students and anyone else who loves a great listening experience, but Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event offers plenty of chances to save.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessity
Adjective
  • The settlement includes a series of stipulations related to the number of theatrical films the combined company will release per year and the required budget for those films.
    — Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Reaching that altitude, however, required GICON to rethink how such a turbine could be constructed.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Both could go a long way in lengthening the Yankees’ postseason lineup; the righty-swinging Lombard, in particular, provides some needed balance.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 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
Definition of needed

Browse Nearby Words

musters out
must-have
must-haves
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Cite this Entry

“Must-have.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-have. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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