Synonyms of required

required 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈkwī(-ə)rd 

1

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law

formal instruction in driving is required in this state before you can get your driver's license

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mandatory
• necessary
• compulsory
• incumbent
• needed
• urgent
• obligatory
• imperative
• forced
• essential
• requisite
• involuntary
• demanded
• indispensable
• enforced
• nonelective
• all-important
• persistent
• peremptory
• insistent
• pressing
• coercive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optional
• voluntary
• elective
• discretionary
• unnecessary
• chosen
• unwanted
• unimportant
• insignificant
• unneeded
• dispensable
• inconsequential
• nonessential

2

as in necessary

impossible to do without

with these frigid winds, hats, scarves, and good mittens are required equipment for heading outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• necessary
• needed
• essential
• integral
• needful
• vital
• imperative
• critical
• requisite
• crucial
• important
• must-have
• indispensable
• mandatory
• compulsory
• all-important
• of the essence
• prerequisite
• basic
• key
• necessitous
• major
• obligatory
• fundamental
• urgent
• meaningful
• substantial
• significant
• organic
• momentous
• central
• persistent
• pressing
• insistent
• consequential
• nonelective
• material
• weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unnecessary
• needless
• nonessential
• unwanted
• extra
• undesired
• dispensable
• unneeded
• excess
• unimportant
• external
• insignificant
• superfluous
• unessential
• inessential
• surplus
• extraneous
• inconsequential

required

2 of 2

verb

past tense of require

as in needed

to have as a requirement

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Synonyms & Similar Words

• needed
• wanted
• took
• involved
• demanded
• necessitated
• challenged
• claimed
• warranted
• called for
• bore
• entailed
• asked
• begged
• lacked
• insisted
• stipulated
• cried (for)
• hurt (for)
• enjoined
• clamored (for)
• exacted
• commanded
• pressed
• quested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• had
• held
• owned
• possessed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of required

Adjective

Scientists have now developed a computing architecture that stores memory as vibrations, exponentially shrinking the required hardware. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026

That means there are fewer people left to make sure labs and clean rooms pass all the required safety checks during tests that involve extreme temperatures, pressures and electrical discharges. — Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

The new agreement strips that provision, as well as another that required Zambia to share pathogen data for 25 years and health data for 10 years. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Download the Underdog app (iOS or Android) and complete registration (name, email, date of birth, address, last 4 of SSN if required) and account verification. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026