Need another word that means the same as “should”? Find 3 synonyms for “should” in this overview.
The synonyms of “Should” are: ought, need, must
Should as a Verb
Definitions of "Should" as a verb
According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “should” as a verb can have the following definitions:
- Used to give or ask advice or suggestions.
- Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions.
- Used in a clause with ‘that’ expressing purpose.
- (expressing the conditional mood) referring to a possible event or situation.
- Used to indicate what is probable.
- Emphasizing how surprising an event was.
- (in the first person) indicating the consequence of an imagined event.
- Used to give advice.
- Used in a clause with ‘that’ after a main clause describing feelings.
- (in the first person) expressing a polite request or acceptance.
- Indicating a desirable or expected state.
- Used to emphasize to a listener how striking an event is or was.
- (in the first person) expressing a conjecture or hope.
Synonyms of "Should" as a verb (3 Words)
| must | Expressing an opinion about something that is logically very likely.
You must show your ID card. |
| need | Have or feel a need for.
Lest you even more than needs embitter our parting. |
| ought | Used to indicate a desirable or expected state.
Thanks for your letter which I ought to have answered sooner. |
Usage Examples of "Should" as a verb
- We should be grateful for your advice.
- I should like some more, if I may.
- It is astonishing that we should find violence here.
- I should hold out if I were you.
- You should go back to bed.
- He should have been careful.
- Should anyone arrive late, admission is likely to be refused.
- The bus should arrive in a few minutes.
- ‘It won't happen again.’ ‘I should hope not.
- If you should change your mind, I'll be at the hotel.
- £348 m should be enough to buy him out.
- I was in this shop when who should I see across the street but Tobias.
- In order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically.
- You shouldn't have gone.
- He'll have a sore head, I should imagine.
- I think we should trust our people more.
- You should have seen Marge's face.
- By now pupils should be able to read with a large degree of independence.
- What should I wear?
- If I were to obey my first impulse, I should spend my days writing letters.