# necessitate

/nəˈsɛsəˌteɪt/ (US) · /nəsˈɛsɪtˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/necessitate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to make necessary

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

to make something necessary, often because of a change in plans or a new problem.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (e.g., 'necessitate moving').

### 2. to force an action

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to force someone to do something because there is no other choice.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe actions forced by economic or legal conditions.

## Examples

- The heavy rain necessitated a change in the schedule.
- The rapid growth of the city necessitated the construction of several new bridges to handle the increased traffic.
- The discovery of the ancient site necessitated a complete revision of the existing historical timeline, forcing scholars to reconsider the timeline of early human migration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.