1
as in necessary
impossible to do without
purchase needful provisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poor
lacking money or material possessions
let's first help the needful families in our own community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in money
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
fortunately, the family had the needful to stock up the larder before the long hard winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
packed a warm jacket and other needfuls for an autumn weekend in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of needful
Corey Van Landingham, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
They are not found to be such on the injustice and violence of individuals, and lose their efficacy in proportion to the number combined together, that is, in proportion as their efficacy becomes needful.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2022
Sometimes environments and selection pressures change radically, and large effect mutations may become needful.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010
For Queen and other Black poets, hip-hop is not only beats and rhymes but something more needful.
—Adam Bradley, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2021
Oxfam exhorts its supporters to send things to the needful Cratchits of the developing world.
—Matthew Sweet, The Economist, 4 Dec. 2020
McBride was touched by the way, in their later years, Marcroft was the primary caregiver for Joyce, who had become needful of that care.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Nov. 2020
Many proponents of critical race theory — whose animating idea is that race is the one thing needful, the single lens through which all other phenomena should be viewed — are indeed trying to compel compliance.
—Greg Weiner, National Review, 10 Sep. 2020
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Even on this side of the border, the supply of people without legal status but needful of income has led to employers’ brazenly violating child-labor laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 May 2023
Adjective
Who promises tomorrows to a whole needful planet, restrikes that match?
—Corey Van Landingham, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
They are not found to be such on the injustice and violence of individuals, and lose their efficacy in proportion to the number combined together, that is, in proportion as their efficacy becomes needful.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2022
Sometimes environments and selection pressures change radically, and large effect mutations may become needful.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010
For Queen and other Black poets, hip-hop is not only beats and rhymes but something more needful.
—Adam Bradley, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2021
Oxfam exhorts its supporters to send things to the needful Cratchits of the developing world.
—Matthew Sweet, The Economist, 4 Dec. 2020
McBride was touched by the way, in their later years, Marcroft was the primary caregiver for Joyce, who had become needful of that care.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Nov. 2020
Many proponents of critical race theory — whose animating idea is that race is the one thing needful, the single lens through which all other phenomena should be viewed — are indeed trying to compel compliance.
—Greg Weiner, National Review, 10 Sep. 2020
Noun
The actor did indeed ‘get it together’ and is doing the needful to make things official.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Even on this side of the border, the supply of people without legal status but needful of income has led to employers’ brazenly violating child-labor laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needful
Adjective
-
Nothing of the sort is necessary for Barkov, whose reputation as the best two-way center in the league (at least based on Selke voting) is deserved.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
If additional funding is necessary, the goal is not just to access capital, but to access it strategically.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Programs like food aid for poor children, health care for seniors, and subsidies for day-to-day needs are in the balance.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 June 2025
-
Job Corps, established in 1964, provides education and vocational training to disadvantaged youth but has been criticized by the Labor Department for poor outcomes and safety issues.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
So, for an organisation struggling to find the money needed to make English football’s grassroots facilities green and pleasant once more, Khan’s offer was timely and tempting.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
The film’s most frightening scene is a fight between Claire and her mom, when the manipulative young woman tries every tactic imaginable to extort money from Kate, from tearing out her hair to kidnapping Cooper.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Plus, opting for styles in breezy linen is an absolute must for summer’s hotter weather.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
29 May 2025
-
But Tyler, the Creator believes delusion is a must for artists and creatives across the board.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Details of the escape remained confidential Wednesday Those involved say discretion is essential to protect the safety of María Alexandra Gómez, a Venezuelan national who is Gallo’s partner, and their son, Victor Benjamin, as well as others who facilitated the operation.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
-
Tailor Your Résumé While certifications are essential, your résumé must reflect a comprehensive picture of your skills and experiences.—
Jay Garcia,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
During campaign events, Lee, who grew up in an impoverished farming household and toiled in factories as a child, spoke from behind bullet-proof glass to crowds, which were surveyed by rooftop police snipers.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
Curtis’ extraordinary talent is first recognized in kindergarten, when a charitable foundation donates instruments to his impoverished public school.—
Joan Gaylord,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The 73-year-old victim was on the phone with the scammer, who was walking her through the step-by-step process to deposit the cash.—
Hailey Clevenger,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
-
Combs ran the cash through a money counter in front of him, separating the bills into stacks of $10,000, Garcia recalled.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The requirement to check in 60 minutes before an international flight remains unchanged.—
Dennis Green,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
-
During their last meeting in May, both countries agreed to exchange their requirements for a ceasefire.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Needful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needful. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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