MUST: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for MUST?

Need another word that means the same as “must”? Find 11 synonyms and 30 related words for “must” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Must” are: should, have to, have got to, need to, be obliged to, be required to, be compelled to, be under an obligation to, moldiness, mustiness, not to be missed

Must as a Noun

Definitions of "Must" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “must” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A necessary or essential thing.
• Grape juice before or during fermentation.
• Something that should not be overlooked or missed.
• The quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy.

Synonyms of "Must" as a noun (3 Words)

moldiness	The quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy.
mustiness	The quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy.
not to be missed	A light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element.

Usage Examples of "Must" as a noun

• Seat belts are an absolute must.
• This video is a must for everyone.

Must as a Verb

Definitions of "Must" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “must” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Be obliged to; should (expressing necessity.
• Used in ironic questions expressing irritation.
• Expressing insistence.
• Expressing an opinion about something that is logically very likely.

Synonyms of "Must" as a verb (8 Words)

be compelled to	Spend or use time.
be obliged to	Spend or use time.
be required to	Be identical to; be someone or something.
be under an obligation to	Be identical or equivalent to.
have got to	Have as a feature.
have to	Organize or be responsible for.
need to	Require as useful, just, or proper.
should	Used to give or ask advice or suggestions. It is astonishing that we should find violence here.

Usage Examples of "Must" as a verb

• You must be tired.
• There must be something wrong.
• You must try some of this fish.
• The essay mustn't be over 2,000 words.
• She said she must be going.
• If you must smoke you could at least go in the living room.
• You must show your ID card.
• Charlotte, must you put spanners in the works?

Associations of "Must" (30 Words)

accountability	The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility. Lack of accountability has corroded public respect for business and political leaders.
compel	Force to come or go in a particular direction. His striking appearance compelled attention.
compulsory	Involving or exercising compulsion; coercive. Compulsory military service.
demand	The act of demanding. I demand an explanation.
duty	A payment levied on the import, export, manufacture, or sale of goods. A strong sense of duty.
essential	Basic and fundamental. He was quick to grasp the essentials of an opponent s argument.
flatly	Showing little interest or emotion. I applied the paint flatly.
impel	Drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something. A lack of equality impelled the oppressed to fight.
indispensability	The quality possessed by something that you cannot possibly do without.
indispensable	Absolutely necessary; vitally necessary. He made himself indispensable to the parish priest.
ineluctable	Unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable. An ineluctable destiny.
inevitable	Incapable of being avoided or prevented. The inevitable changes of the seasons.
inevitably	In such a manner as could not be otherwise. Inevitably some details are already out of date.
integral	The result of a mathematical integration F x is the integral of f x if dF dx f x. Systematic training should be integral to library management.
mandatory	A territory surrendered by Turkey or Germany after World War I and put under the tutelage of some other European power until they are able to stand by themselves. He did not want the guidelines to be mandatory.
necessarily	In such a manner as could not be otherwise. The prognosis can necessarily be only an educated guess.
necessary	(of an agent) having no independent volition. They granted the necessary planning permission.
need	Have need of. Need I say more.
obligate	Commit (assets) as security. Obligate money.
obligated	Caused by law or conscience to follow a certain course. Was obligated to pay off the student loan.
obligatory	Required by obligation or compulsion or convention. An obligatory contribution.
oblige	Be indebted or grateful. My father had obliged me to the improvement of my stock.
perfunctory	Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough. Perfunctory courtesy.
prerequisite	Something that is required in advance. Latin was a prerequisite for admission.
require	Require as useful just or proper. It would have required much research to produce a comprehensive list.
required	Required by rule. Required reading.
requisite	Made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations. A place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained.
unavoidable	Impossible to avoid or evade. The natural and unavoidable consequences of growing old.
unconditionally	Without conditions or limits. To be loved unconditionally is to be loved for who we are.
vital	Performing an essential function in the living body. The loss of vital heat in shock.