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Synonyms for need


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : need
Phonetic Transcription : nid

Top 10 synonyms for need Other synonyms for the word need

Définition of need

Origin :
  • Old English nied (West Saxon), ned (Mercian) "necessity, compulsion, duty; hardship, distress; errand, business," originally "violence, force," from Proto-Germanic *nauthis (cf. Old Saxon nod, Old Norse nauðr, Old Frisian ned, Middle Dutch, Dutch nood, Old High German not, German Not, Gothic nauþs "need"), probably cognate with Old Prussian nautin "need," and perhaps with Old Church Slavonic nazda, Russian nuzda, Polish nędza "misery, distress," from PIE *nau- "death, to be exhausted" (see narwhal).
  • The more common Old English word for "need, necessity, want" was ðearf, but they were connected via a notion of "trouble, pain," and the two formed a compound, niedðearf "need, necessity, compulsion, thing needed." Nied also might have been influenced by Old English neod "desire, longing," which often was spelled the same. Common in Old English compounds, e.g. niedfaru "compulsory journey," a euphemism for "death;" niedhæmed "rape," the second element being an Old English word meaning "sexual intercourse;" niedling "slave." Meaning "extreme poverty, destitution" is from c.1200.
  • noun want, requirement
  • noun poverty
  • noun emergency; pressing lack
  • verb want something
Example sentences :
  • One need not look so high as the old-fashioned stuccoed ceiling.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "They needn't eat their lunch that way," declared his sister.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I need cheerfulness and rest for a long time after this day in town.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I certainly did need you to come along right now and set me straight.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • So you see, mother, we needn't go to the poorhouse just yet.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • And you need it worse'n ever he did, if I got you sized up right.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I need the out-doors, and anyway you don't need me down there.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Now you like it, and you got beauty—only you need more money.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "They needn't wait another day for me," Percival told him later.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "You needn't trouble yourself to be grateful," returned Robert, coolly.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

Antonyms for need

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019