Synonyms for must
- noun
- verb
Most common
Definitions
- n. 1
Something that is mandatory, required or recommended.
If you're trekking all day, a map is a must.
- n. 2
The property of being stale or musty.
- v. 1
To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.
You must arrive in class on time.
Related words
- Word family
- must-have mustimeter musty
- Phrases
- must watch
- Is a kind of
- heat rut
- Other spellings
- musth
Forms
- Plural
- musts → mildews, mustinesses, wants, imperatives…
- Past participle
- musted
Example sentences
- want "Why aren't you going?" "Because I don't want to."
- imperative No duty is more imperative than saying thank you.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| must | steady | |
| want | rising | |
| imperative | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- have1, want1, mold1, rust1, smut1
- 5 letters
- mould1
- 6 letters
- blight1, mildew2
- 8 letters
- needment
- 9 letters
- necessity4, requisite3, mustiness, moldiness
- 10 letters
- commitment3, imperative4
- 11 letters
- requirement3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (mildew2 = 2 syllables).