MUST-HAVE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

must-have 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of must-have

as in essential

impossible to do without aprons are must-have accessories for the cooking class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

must-have

2 of 2

noun

ˈməst-ˌhav

as in must

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable hiking boots are a must-have for this trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 must-have

Noun

Beside it, a triple slider reveals an indoor-outdoor game room with sunken chili-pepper-red velvet seating, a realistic Ben & Aja Blanc Moon Light recessed into the ceiling, and Sutherland’s must-have dry-erase board. — Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 Amazon's Big Deal Days sale has ended, but this is still one of the best times of the year to lock down some serious savings on a must-have upgrade, like a brand new computer monitor. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 For fans of the Original Series, this is a must-have for Halloween. — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Grab the Pilates class must-haves in classic black, or opt for sea mist blue, rose pink, or deep indigo. — Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for must-have

Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-have

Adjective

This would be particularly relevant in contested environments where drones can observe roads, locate logistics convoys and attack vehicles carrying ammunition, fuel, food and other essential supplies.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Blaze, previously more peripheral to the adventure, became essential.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of essential

Noun

Both also pride themselves in downfield blocking, a must for a team coached by a former receivers coach.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
For Olivia Allen, the second rotation of Ana Viktoria Dzinic’s solo at Nicoletti in Shoreditch—which coincides with a solo booth over at Frieze London—is a must.

— Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of must

Adjective

The current job climate is creating conditions where pushing past your limits may feel necessary for career survival.

— Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Successfully navigating those kinds of conflicts will be key if Sharma is to build up the authority and credibility necessary to get Xbox back on track.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Noun

However, the bill would also preempt certain state requirements covering public risk disclosures, independent evaluations, and critical incident reporting.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The legislation enacts new work requirements and greater vetting for Medicaid, the low-income program that thousands of Alaskans depend on for healthcare.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of requirement

Adjective

For years, posting clips online has been integral to comedians’ process of building an audience and selling tickets to their live shows.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Perhaps the biggest vote of confidence has been Nvidia’s acquisition of Hugging Face, a repository of open-source AI models that has become as integral to developers’ processes as GitHub.

— Kevin Cochrane, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of integral

Noun

Our neighbors still face high costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, groceries, and other necessities.

— Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
According to a new Guardian poll, 95 percent of Americans think that the United States is in the midst of an affordability crisis with many reporting trouble affording necessities like gas and groceries.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessity

Adjective

Schools closed before Isaias swept through the region last Friday and have been scrambling to make needed repairs to facilities while awaiting power restoration.

— Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Many shelters are operated by nonprofit organizations but owned by the city or private entities, limiting the nonprofit’s ability to make needed improvements.

— Jeffrey Ginsburg, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of needed

Browse Nearby Words

musters out

must-have

must-haves

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Style

“Must-have.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-have. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of must-have

adjective

noun

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