necessitate

[ nuh-ses-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ne·ces·si·tat·ed, ne·ces·si·tat·ing.

1. to make necessary or unavoidable:

   The breakdown of the car necessitated a change in our plans.

2. to compel, oblige, or force:

   The new wage demand will necessitate a price increase.

necessitate

/ nɪˈsɛsɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to cause as an unavoidable and necessary result
2. usually passive to compel or require (someone to do something)

Derived Forms

• neˌcessiˈtation, noun
• neˈcessiˌtative, adjective

Other Words From

• ne·cessi·tation noun
• ne·cessi·tative adjective
• prene·cessi·tate verb (used with object) prenecessitated prenecessitating
• unne·cessi·tated adjective
• unne·cessi·tating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of necessitate¹

1620–30; < Medieval Latin necessitātus, past participle of necessitāre to compel, constrain. See necessity, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

P. lunula cannot use that same strategy: it has chloroplasts organized in the form of a complex network, necessitating a different form of motion to avoid bright light.

From Science Daily

Martin O'Malley, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, empathizes all too well with the human suffering that necessitates the program’s existence.

From Salon

But in March 2023, after suffering the worst Super Bowl hangover in NFL history, the Rams began a financial pullback necessitated by their spending to build the championship roster.

From Los Angeles Times

For four years now, he and the Dodgers have heard about how their 2020 championship, in a pandemic-shortened season, necessitated an asterisk, or some other form of punctuation.

From Los Angeles Times

As it stands, Pennsylvania allows abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation, or later if there is a medical emergency that necessitates pregnancy termination.

From Salon

Related Words

• constrain
• entail
• require