necessitate

verb

ni-ˈse-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce necessitate (audio)
Definition of necessitatenext
as in to require
to have as a requirement getting new shoes would necessitate another trip to the mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 necessitate Second, breakthroughs in digitization and automation have necessitated further changes in their offerings. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026 In 1990, during a stint in the San Francisco Bay, Humphrey beached himself on a mudflat, necessitating another rescue. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 According to Espino, the current conditions would necessitate more than a routine seasonal adjustment. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 There are also certain risk periods, like pregnancy, where women are more prone to anemia, and childbirth, where emergencies may necessitate a blood transfusion, Lawrence said. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for necessitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessitate
  1. require
  2. need
Verb
  • The city’s postcard sights and destination-worthy dining spots require at least a 20-minute taxi drive or a hop on The Siam’s boat, which can drop you off at most piers along the river.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Twenty-three states have no rating from the big agencies at all, which locks them out of mandates that require one.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of require
Verb
  • In its base case, about 11 million workers, roughly 7% of the workforce, would need to leave their occupations entirely, with a range of 6 million to 16 million.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Engineers needed the spacecraft to track specific targets with enough precision for reliable emissions measurements.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of need

Browse Nearby Words

necessary
necessitate
necessitated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Necessitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessitate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

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
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All