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Necessitate: meaning, definitions and examples

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necessitate

[nɪˈsɛsɪˌteɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to require

To necessitate means to make something necessary or unavoidable. It implies that a particular action or event is required in order to achieve a certain result.

Synonyms

compel, demand, require.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
necessitate

Used to indicate that something makes an action or condition unavoidable or indispensable.

  • The injury necessitated immediate surgery.
  • The new circumstances necessitate a change in the plan.
require

Used to indicate that something is needed or necessary.

  • The job requires a bachelor's degree.
  • The project requires more resources than initially planned.
demand

Used when requesting or requiring something forcefully or authoritatively.

  • The employees demanded better working conditions.
  • The teacher demanded silence from the noisy class.
compel

Used to indicate that someone or something forces a person or thing to take a particular action, often against their will. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The law compels citizens to pay taxes.
  • Her financial situation compelled her to sell her house.

Examples of usage

  • His health condition necessitated frequent visits to the doctor.
  • Her absence from the meeting necessitated a postponement of the decision.
  • The changes in the market necessitate a new approach to marketing strategies.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'necessitare', which means 'to compel' or 'to make necessary'.
  • It entered the English language in the early 16th century during a time when Latin was widely studied and admired.
  • The root 'nec-' is related to the concept of binding or tying, reflecting an obligation or need.

Usage in Literature

  • Writers often use this term to discuss themes of obligation and necessity in character motivations.
  • Many classic novels illustrate how certain circumstances necessitate critical choices by characters.
  • In philosophical texts, the word often appears to express arguments about free will versus determinism.

Real-World Applications

  • In project management, necessitating actions can help teams prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
  • Healthcare scenarios often necessitate quick decisions, especially when patient lives are involved.
  • Policies in government can necessitate changes in public behavior, reflecting the need for compliance with regulations.

Philosophy

  • The concept of necessity is a significant theme in philosophical discussions about causality and free will.
  • Different philosophical schools tackle what it means for something to 'necessitate' another thing, varying from determinism to existentialism.
  • In ethics, actions are often debated in terms of whether they necessitate certain moral obligations.

Science

  • In environmental science, certain conditions necessitate immediate action to prevent ecological disasters.
  • The laws of physics state that specific forces necessitate reactions, making them essential to understanding natural phenomena.
  • In biology, certain traits necessitate adaptive responses for survival in changing environments.

Translations

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Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,493, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.