Necessitate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'necessitate'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'necessitate' can be traced back to the Latin word 'necessitare' which means 'to compel, to constrain'. Over time, it evolved into the Middle English word 'necessitaten' and eventually into the modern English 'necessitate'. The concept of necessity and compulsion has been integral to human societies throughout history, leading to the development and usage of this word.


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.