Antonyms for necessity

Grammar : Noun

Spell : nuh-ses-i-tee

Phonetic Transcription : nəˈsɛs ɪ ti

Definition of necessity

Origin : late 14c., "constraining power of circumstances," from Old French necessité "need, necessity; privation, poverty; distress, torment; obligation, duty" (12c.), from Latin necessitatem (nominative necessitas) "compulsion, need for attention, unavoidableness, destiny," from necesse (see necessary). Meaning "condition of being in need" in English is from late 15c.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention. [Richard Franck, c.1624-1708, English author and angler, "Northern Memoirs," 1658]
To maken vertu of necessite is in Chaucer. Related: Necessities.

noun need, essentiality

Example sentences :

And of necessity, even the noble have their moments of deshabille.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

To Kate, for instance, she was a necessity of existence, like light or air.
Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Whoever rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy or to despotism.
Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

You think I must of necessity, as matters are circumstanced, be Solmes's wife.
Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson

She made a virtue of necessity; and the man was quite another man with her. '
Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson

Of the world as it is the outstanding fact is the necessity for struggle.
Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King

What is mystery for one age is not of necessity mystery for another.
Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King

My land would not grow corn enough, or good enough for my necessity.
Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

But indeed Vavasor could swim, well enough, only he did not see the necessity for it.
Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

What if their necessity of simulating it comes of its absolute necessity!
Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for necessity

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019