Word
necessitate
Phoneticsne·ces·si·tate, stress on the second syllable
US/nəˈsɛsəˌteɪt/
UK/nəsˈɛsɪtˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to make necessary
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
v. to make something necessary, often because of a change in plans or a new problem.
v. to make something necessary as a logical or practical consequence. Transitive — requires a direct object, often a noun phrase or a gerund.
“The sudden rainstorm will necessitate a change in our outdoor wedding plans.”
“The discovery of structural flaws in the bridge's foundation will necessitate a complete redesign of the support pillars.”
Antonyms
02to force an action
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to force someone to do something because there is no other choice.
v. to compel or force a specific course of action due to external circumstances.
“Increased costs have necessitated a reduction in the number of staff members.”
“The severe budget deficit necessitated drastic cuts to public services that had previously been considered essential.”
Real-World Examples
“Beard's passing "necessitates the cancellation" of the band's tour dates this week in Utah and Colorado, the statement said.” “Increasing flash floods threaten decoration and structural stability, necessitating preventive conservation.” Etymology
From earlier necessitat, from Medieval Latin necessitātus, perfect past participle of necessitō (“to make necessary”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix, of participial origin)), from Classical Latin necessitās (“necessity, need”) + -ō. Necessitās is derived from necesse (“unavoidable”) (from ne- (“not”) + cessus (“conceded, given up, yielded”). By surface analysis, necessitō + -ate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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