noun
adj
verb
adv

Textual thesaurus for "need"

(noun) motivation, motive

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

we did not understand his motivation; he acted with the best of motives


(noun) want

anything that is necessary but lacking

he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs; I tried to supply his wants


(noun) demand

a condition requiring relief

she satisfied his need for affection; God has no need of men to accomplish His work; there is a demand for jobs


(noun) indigence, pauperism, pauperization, penury

a state of extreme poverty or destitution

their indigence appalled him; a general state of need exists among the homeless


(verb) want, require

have need of

This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner


(verb) take, necessitate, ask, require, postulate, call for, involve, demand

require as useful, just, or proper

It takes nerve to do what she did; success usually requires hard work; This job asks a lot of patience and skill; This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice; This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert; This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent