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Need: alternatives and connections

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
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Need

A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.

105 useful connections shown 74 reviewed relationships and 31 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Verb group 6

Claim 84% connected

To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Claim 84% connected

To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Exact 84% connected

Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect; true; correct; pr…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Exact 84% connected

Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect; true; correct; pr…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Broader term 19

Be 76% connected

To exist actually, or in the world of fact; to have ex/stence.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Concern 76% connected

To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Condition 76% connected

Mode or state of being; state or situation with regard to external circumstances or influences, or to physical or mental integrity, health, strength,…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Essential 76% connected

Belonging to the essence, or that which makes an object, or class of objects, what it is.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Exist 76% connected

To be as a fact and not as a mode; to have an actual or real being, whether material or spiritual.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Impoverishment 76% connected

The act of impoverishing, or the state of being impoverished; reduction to poverty.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Necessary 76% connected

Such as must be; impossible to be otherwise; not to be avoided; inevitable.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Necessity 76% connected

The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite; inevitableness; indispensableness.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Pertain 76% connected

To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocea…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Poorness 76% connected

The quality or state of being poor (in any of the senses of the adjective).

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Poverty 76% connected

The quality or state of being poor or indigent; want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Refer 76% connected

To carry or send back.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Relate 76% connected

To bring back; to restore.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Require 76% connected

To demand; to insist upon having; to claim as by right and authority; to exact; as, to require the surrender of property.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Requirement 76% connected

The act of requiring; demand; requisition.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Requisite 76% connected

That which is required, or is necessary; something indispensable.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Status 76% connected

State; condition; position of affairs.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Touch 76% connected

To come in contact with; to hit or strike lightly against; to extend the hand, foot, or the like, so as to reach or rest on.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Want 76% connected

The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of p…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Narrower term 12

Beggary 76% connected

The act of begging; the state of being a beggar; mendicancy; extreme poverty.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Deficiency 76% connected

The state of being deficient; inadequacy; want; failure; imperfection; shortcoming; defect.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Ethics 76% connected

The science of human duty; the body of rules of duty drawn from this science; a particular system of principles and rules concerting duty, whether tr…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Impulse 76% connected

The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediatel…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Lack 76% connected

Blame; cause of blame; fault; crime; offense.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Life 76% connected

The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that s…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Mendicancy 76% connected

The condition of being mendicant; beggary; begging.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Mendicity 76% connected

The practice of begging; the life of a beggar; mendicancy.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Morality 76% connected

The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentime…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Necessity 76% connected

The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite; inevitableness; indispensableness.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Urge 76% connected

To press; to push; to drive; to impel; to force onward.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Want 76% connected

The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of p…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Manner of action 15

Behoove 76% connected

To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience; -- mostly used impersonally.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Behove 76% connected

and derivatives. See Behoove, &c.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Claim 76% connected

To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Compel 76% connected

To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Cost 76% connected

A rib; a side; a region or coast.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Cry 76% connected

To make a loud call or cry; to call or exclaim vehemently or earnestly; to shout; to vociferate; to proclaim; to pray; to implore.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Depend 76% connected

To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Deserve 76% connected

To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Draw 76% connected

To cause to move continuously by force applied in advance of the thing moved; to pull along; to haul; to drag; to cause to follow.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Exact 76% connected

Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect; true; correct; pr…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Govern 76% connected

To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Merit 76% connected

The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Occupy 76% connected

To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to possess.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Ride 76% connected

To be carried on the back of an animal, as a horse.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Take 76% connected

Taken.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Derivationally related 8

Needy 74% connected

Distressed by want of the means of living; very por; indigent; necessitous.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Needy 74% connected

Distressed by want of the means of living; very por; indigent; necessitous.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Postulate 74% connected

Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to w…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Postulate 74% connected

Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to w…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Requisite 74% connected

That which is required, or is necessary; something indispensable.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Requisite 74% connected

That which is required, or is necessary; something indispensable.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Take 74% connected

Taken.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Take 74% connected

Taken.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Synonym 14

Ask 92% connected

To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; -- often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Demand 92% connected

To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily;…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Indigence 92% connected

The condition of being indigent; want of estate, or means of comfortable subsistence; penury; poverty; as, helpless, indigence.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Involve 92% connected

To roll or fold up; to wind round; to entwine.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

motivation 92% connected

The reasons and energy that drive someone to act.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Motive 92% connected

That which moves; a mover.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Necessitate 92% connected

To make necessary or indispensable; to render unaviolable.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Pauperism 92% connected

The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons requiring support from the community.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Pauperization 92% connected

The act or process of reducing to pauperism.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Penury 92% connected

Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme poverty; destitution.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Postulate 92% connected

Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to w…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Require 92% connected

To demand; to insist upon having; to claim as by right and authority; to exact; as, to require the surrender of property.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Take 92% connected

Taken.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Want 92% connected

The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of p…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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