Synonyms for needful
ˈnid fəlneed·ful

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. needful

   That is necessary which must exist, occur, or be true; which in the nature of things can not be otherwise. That which is essential belongs to the essence of a thing, so that the thing can not exist in its completeness without it; that which is indispensable may be only an adjunct, but it is one that can not be spared; vigorous health is essential to an arctic explorer; warm clothing is indispensable. That which is requisite (or required) is so in the judgment of the person requiring it, but may not be so absolutely; thus, the requisite is more a matter of personal feeling than the indispensable. Inevitable (Latin in, not, and evito, shun) is primarily the exact equivalent of the Saxon unavoidable; both words are applied to things which some at least would escape or prevent, while that which is necessary may meet with no objection; food is necessary, death is inevitable; a necessary conclusion satisfies a thinker; an inevitable conclusion silences opposition. An infallible proof is one that necessarily leads the mind to a sound conclusion. Needed and needful are more concrete than necessary, and respect an end to be attained; we speak of a necessary inference; necessary food is what one can not live without, while needful food is that without which he can not enjoy comfort, health, and strength.

   Synonyms:
   essential, indispensable, inevitable, infallible, necessary, needed, required, requisite, unavoidable, undeniable

   Antonyms:
   casual, contingent, needless, non-essential, optional, unnecessary, useless, worthless

   Preposition:
   Necessary to a sequence or a total; for or to a result or a person; unity is necessary to (to constitute) completeness; decision is necessary for command, or for a commander.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. needed, needful, required, requisiteadjective

   necessary for relief or supply

   "provided them with all things needful"

   Synonyms:
   mandatory, requisite, compulsory, needed, required

   Antonyms:
   unnecessary, unneeded

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. needfuladjective

   Synonyms:
   necessary, requisite, essential, indispensable

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. needfuladjective

   Synonyms:
   requisite, necessary, essential, indispensable, required

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How to use needful in a sentence?

1. James Russell Lowell:

   Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.