How to Use if necessary in a Sentence

if necessary

idiom
Definition of if necessarynext
  • The brand recommends washing it separately the first time and only using a warm iron if necessary.
    — Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2023
  • The best of three championship series is scheduled for Aug. 5, 7 and 9, if necessary.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2024
  • The ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary.
    — Joe McDonald, ajc, 8 Apr. 2023
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the cooktop, adding a little water if necessary to thin.
    — Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2023
  • Baumann was activated before Monday’s first pitch to provide length out of the bullpen if necessary, Melvin said.
    — Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 22 July 2024
  • The ruling Communist Party says the democracy is obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary.
    — Julia Musto, Fox News, 8 Apr. 2023
  • The men’s triathlon has now been tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday, and could also be pushed to Friday (Aug. 2) if necessary.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 30 July 2024
  • The sides split in 1949 after a civil war, and the Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary.
    — Huizhong Wu, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2023
  • The museum says to hit a shark on the tip of its nose if necessary.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC News, 5 July 2023
  • The master will warm to the pupil, and fight his corner, if necessary.
    — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2023
  • The soup should be brothy—add hot water to thin it if necessary.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024
  • Make sure to rest in the shade, eat and drink water and electrolytes, and call for help if necessary.
    — Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023
  • And a childhood friend was ready to talk her through any crises, and to fly out to Denver to help if necessary.
    — Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2024
  • Also, only get on a roof if necessary and once help us on the way.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024
  • Bahr explains that the TSA has a set of bolt cutters to remove the locks if necessary.
    — Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2024
  • At 20 pounds, the mulcher is heavy enough to stay in place while working but light enough to move it around your yard if necessary.
    — Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024
  • If a hearing in the case, if necessary, would begin on Aug. 14.
    — Mike Cason | McAson@al.com, al, 17 July 2023
  • Instead, the league should start Round One a week later and play all three games (if necessary) in the space of two weekends.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
  • Once the water begins to boil, add the crab legs and simmer, turning the heat down if necessary.
    — Coastal Living, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024
  • The winner of the March primary, or runoff if necessary, will clash with Cruz.
    — Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, 4 Sep. 2023
  • Stay on alert and ready to make a last-minute adjustment if necessary.
    — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
  • Games 3 and 4, if necessary, will be played in Phoenix on Wednesday and Thursday night.
    — Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2023
  • Lift the tips of the wings up and over the breast, and tuck them under the turkey—secure excess of the neck flap (use a wooden pick if necessary).
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
  • Or call your own parent (five times a day, if necessary).
    — Parents Editors, Parents, 11 June 2023
  • That time can be added back on to the sentence if necessary, but that’s rare, say prison consultants.
    — Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 May 2024
  • Place the tube lengthwise in the center of the paper and cut to size if necessary, leaving an equal amount on either side.
    — Paula Sutton, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2023
  • Use a microfiber cloth, water and mild dish soap to clean it off, and repeat if necessary.
    — Maya Pottiger, Washington Post, 24 May 2023
  • Later in the healing process, lasers can be used to fade scars further, if necessary.
    — Taryn Brooke, Allure, 7 July 2023
  • Thursday’s game two is at 5 p.m. followed by a third game, if necessary, at 7.
    — Skip Vaughn, al, 10 May 2023
  • What to do next would be for your husband (and you) to take a long, hard look at what is and isn’t going on with Mack, and move on with your lives if necessary.
    — Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if necessary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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