required 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈkwī(-ə)rd How to pronounce required (audio)
Definition of requirednext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in necessary
impossible to do without with these frigid winds, hats, scarves, and good mittens are required equipment for heading outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 required
Adjective
Florida's Broward County school district could greatly reduce required testing minutes in elementary schools. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The resolution there would be unlikely to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
What many lack is the skilled workforce needed to deliver at the pace required. — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 Under both Ormond’s and Baker’s proposals, Charter would be required to offer affordable broadband to low-income residents, including California LifeLine service tiers. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for required
Recent Examples of Synonyms for required
  1. mandatory
  2. necessary
  3. needed
  4. compulsory
  5. essential
  6. wanted
  7. incumbent
  8. integral
Adjective
  • From a historic red card to mandatory hydration breaks, Barton offers a window into changes from a World Cup referees’ perspective.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Program would be mandatory At least 111 substances of unknown safety have been added to foods, drinks and supplements sold in the United States without alerting the FDA, according to a study released this March.
    — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • In the world of corporate mergers and acquisitions, an out-of-town buyer looks to cut costs in order to help cover the share-price premium necessary to clinch the deal and those reductions typically come mainly at the expense of the seller.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The district court order would still allow below-ground construction or any other measures necessary to protect national security and the president's safety.
    — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessary
Verb
  • To avoid a runoff, Graham Nordone needed to pass the 50% threshold in Tuesday’s special primary election, as South Carolina law requires a candidate to win more than half of the vote to secure their party’s nomination.
    — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But because the late senator had been seeking reelection and already secured the nomination in June, Republicans also needed a new candidate on the ballot.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of needed
Adjective
  • Voting is optional in New Zealand but enrollment for those eligible and living in the country is compulsory, with failure to do so punishable by a fine of 100 New Zealand dollars ($59).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • While vessel inspections are not compulsory, member states can request a secondary inspection of a vessel in line with specified criteria.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • One of those arrangements just survived Supreme Court review as essential to the integrity of the number.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rafael Pelli, Pelli’s son and a partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners, told The Art Newspaper that the natural environment surrounding the center was an essential element in its design.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of essential
Verb
  • Defender Gabriel Heinze wanted to leave in 2007, having lost his place in the team to Patrice Evra.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, many people wanted to know whether machines could become curious.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of wanted
Adjective
  • Mark Warner, the current Virginia senator, ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Republican John Warner.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • History favors the non-incumbent party in midterms, while the Iran war and gasoline prices will matter.
    — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • Jack Reacher, protagonist of books by Lee Child and an ongoing Amazon drama, has several characteristics integral to his Jack Reacher-ness.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The strong winds not only carry the sensation of discomfort, but also serendipitously become an integral character of the film.
    — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral

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Cite this Entry

“Required.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/required. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of required for Spanish Speakers

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