of necessity

Idioms  

1. Also, out of necessity. As an inevitable consequence, unavoidably, as in the New Testament: “Of necessity he must release one unto them at the Feast” (Luke 23:17). [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

Blockaders even developed a legal argument to justify their actions, drawing on the common law defense of necessity, which allows someone to break a law to achieve a greater moral good.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

You have to love how the university spins virtue out of necessity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

"People take the wrong path, out of necessity," says Diannys, a mother-of-five who says her husband was killed in a US strike in October.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

"We can encourage those who left the country out of necessity to return," the 35-year-old said, even if "we cannot bring all Nepalis back on the second day" of a new administration.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

“Not at your age he wasn’t,” Mother begins, “and that was out of necessity for his pack. They had too many mouths to feed. Your pack needs you here.”

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• automatically
• naturally
• no doubt
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably