Similes for being required capture the weight of necessity by comparing obligations to powerful, everyday images. Instead of just saying something “must be done,” these similes bring clarity and emotion, like being as necessary as air to breathe or as compulsory as paying taxes. They highlight how certain duties feel unavoidable, binding, and essential.
Whether you are writing poetry, essays, or motivational pieces, using strong similes for being required can make your words more impactful and memorable.
This article explores 35+ similes for being required, each with clear meanings and practical examples to help you express obligation in a creative, relatable way.
Similes for Required Examples
In this section, you will find a collection of as required as simile examples that highlight the weight of necessity and duty. These similes make it easier to express feelings of obligation by comparing them with clear, relatable images. By using them, your writing can convey the seriousness and inevitability of being required in a simple yet powerful way.
1. As required as keys to a lock
Meaning: Something that makes progress or entry possible.
Example Sentences:
- Preparation was as required as the keys to a lock.
- His support was as required as the keys to a lock.
Other Ways to Say:
- As essential as passwords to accounts
- As vital as maps to travelers
2. As compulsory as paying taxes
Meaning: Something unavoidable, legally or socially, that one must do whether they like it or not.
Example Sentences:
- Attendance at the ceremony was as compulsory as paying taxes.
- Following safety rules is as compulsory as paying taxes.
Other Ways to Say:
- As inevitable as sunrise
- As fixed as a law of gravity
3. As binding as a contract
Meaning: Something that holds you with legal or moral force, leaving no room to escape.
Example Sentences:
- The promise felt as binding as a contract.
- Her word was as binding as a contract.
Other Ways to Say:
- As strict as a courtroom oath
- As unbreakable as iron chains
4. As demanded as rent on time
Meaning: Something expected regularly and without negotiation.
Example Sentences:
- Her presence at the meeting was as demanded as rent on time.
- Submitting the report felt as demanding as rent on time.
Other Ways to Say:
- As regular as clockwork
- As routine as breathing
5. As inevitable as death
Meaning: Something completely unavoidable, regardless of one’s effort.
Example Sentences:
- His approval was as inevitable as death.
- Rules in this house were as inevitable as death.
Other Ways to Say:
- As unavoidable as rain in the monsoon
- As certain as gravity pulling downward
6. As pressing as a ticking clock
Meaning: A requirement that brings urgency and cannot be delayed.
Example Sentences:
- The deadline was as pressing as a ticking clock.
- His need to respond was as pressing as a ticking clock.
Other Ways to Say:
- As urgent as a fire alarm
- As immediate as a cry for help
7. As obligatory as a soldier’s salute
Meaning: A demand tied to duty, respect, or tradition.
Example Sentences:
- For him, gratitude was as obligatory as a soldier’s salute.
- Standing for the anthem felt as obligatory as a soldier’s salute.
Other Ways to Say:
- As expected as respect for elders
- As required as laws in society
8. As unavoidable as the tide
Meaning: A force of nature or rule that cannot be stopped or ignored.
Example Sentences:
- Change was as unavoidable as the tide.
- The need to act was as unavoidable as the tide.
Other Ways to Say:
- As unstoppable as sunrise
- As natural as seasons changing
9. As compulsory as school attendance
Meaning: Something mandated by rules or authority.
Example Sentences:
- Submitting homework was as compulsory as school attendance.
- Team meetings were as compulsory as school attendance.
Other Ways to Say:
- As mandatory as medical checkups
- As fixed as exam schedules
10. As fixed as the North Star
Meaning: A requirement that remains steady and unchanged.
Example Sentences:
- His loyalty was as fixed as the North Star.
- The schedule was as fixed as the North Star.
Other Ways to Say:
- As constant as gravity
- As steady as a heartbeat
11. As enforced as curfew at night
Meaning: A rule strictly implemented, leaving no space for choice.
Example Sentences:
- Silence during exams was as enforced as curfew at night.
- Discipline in the army is as enforced as curfew at night.
Other Ways to Say:
- As strict as a locked gate
- As unbending as a steel rod
12. As vital as food on the table
Meaning: Something necessary for survival or basic well-being.
Example Sentences:
- Friendship was as vital as food on the table.
- For success, hard work is as vital as food on the table.
Other Ways to Say:
- As needed as water to crops
- As essential as warmth in winter
13. As heavy as a judge’s gavel
Meaning: A requirement that carries strong weight and finality.
Example Sentences:
- The decision was as heavy as a judge’s gavel.
- His words were as heavy as a judge’s gavel.
Other Ways to Say:
- As firm as a nailed door
- As weighty as a king’s decree
14. As expected as sunrise
Meaning: Something natural, obvious, and guaranteed.
Example Sentences:
- His call for help was as expected as sunrise.
- Rules in her house were as expected as sunrise.
Other Ways to Say:
- As natural as breathing
- As certain as tides
15. As controlling as chains
Meaning: A demand that feels restricting and inescapable.
Example Sentences:
- The obligation felt as controlling as chains.
- His responsibility was as controlling as chains.
Other Ways to Say:
- As limiting as a locked cage
- As binding as handcuffs
16. As needed a shelter in the rain
Meaning: Something essential for comfort and safety.
Example Sentences:
- Their guidance was as needed as shelter in rain.
- Hope felt as needed as shelter in rain.
Other Ways to Say:
- As comforting as fire in winter
- As vital as shade in heat
17. As strict as a schoolmaster’s rule
Meaning: A demand with little room for argument or flexibility.
Example Sentences:
- The system was as strict as a schoolmaster’s rule.
- His father’s expectations were as strict as a schoolmaster’s rule.
Other Ways to Say:
- As rigid as military orders
- As unbending as steel
18. As permanent as ink on skin
Meaning: A demand that stays once made, unchangeable.
Example Sentences:
- The responsibility was as permanent as ink on skin.
- Her choice was as permanent as ink on skin.
Other Ways to Say:
- As lasting as carved stone
- As fixed as a tattoo
19. As demanded as a doctor in an emergency
Meaning: Something urgently needed when circumstances leave no choice.
Example Sentences:
- His leadership was as demanded as a doctor in an emergency.
- Quick decisions became as demanded as a doctor in an emergency.
Other Ways to Say:
- As essential as a firefighter in a blaze
- As vital as water in drought
20. As necessary as sleep to the weary
Meaning: A requirement tied to basic human function and relief.
Example Sentences:
- Her rest was as necessary as sleep to the weary.
- Encouragement was as necessary as sleep to the weary.
Other Ways to Say:
- As needed as rest after battle
- As vital as calm after chaos
21. As certain as taxes in April
Meaning: A requirement that arrives with predictable certainty.
Example Sentences:
- The annual report was as certain as taxes in April.
- His demands were as certain as taxes in April.
Other Ways to Say:
- As regular as morning coffee
- As predictable as winter snow
22. As unyielding as mountain stone
Meaning: A requirement that does not change regardless of circumstance.
Example Sentences:
- The law was as unyielding as mountain stone.
- His rules were as unyielding as mountain stone.
Other Ways to Say:
- As solid as concrete
- As fixed as carved marble
23. As compulsory as jury duty
Meaning: A civic or legal responsibility that cannot be avoided.
Example Sentences:
- Participation was as compulsory as jury duty.
- For citizens, taxes are as compulsory as jury duty.
Other Ways to Say:
- As binding as military draft
- As unavoidable as national service
24. As pressing as hunger pangs
Meaning: A demand that grows stronger and harder to ignore.
Example Sentences:
- His need for answers was as pressing as hunger pangs.
- The urge to act was as pressing as hunger pangs.
Other Ways to Say:
- As demanding as thirst in summer
- As urgent as a baby’s cry
25. As strict as exam proctors
Meaning: A requirement maintained with careful watch and discipline.
Example Sentences:
- The office rules were as strict as exam proctors.
- Their silence was as strict as exam proctors.
Other Ways to Say:
- As watchful as a guard dog
- As controlled as a chess move
26. As obligatory as wedding vows
Meaning: A demand tied to promises, faith, or moral duty.
Example Sentences:
- His honesty was as obligatory as wedding vows.
- Their loyalty was as obligatory as wedding vows.
Other Ways to Say:
- As binding as sacred oaths
- As unshakable as trust itself
27. As necessary as fuel to fire
Meaning: A requirement that keeps energy, passion, or function alive.
Example Sentences:
- Inspiration was as necessary as fuel to fire.
- For ambition, effort is as necessary as fuel to fire.
Other Ways to Say:
- As vital as wind to a sail
- As needed as oil to a lamp
28. As certain as the seasons
Meaning: A requirement tied to nature’s rhythm and predictability.
Example Sentences:
- His responsibilities were as certain as the seasons.
- Change was as certain as the seasons.
Other Ways to Say:
- As predictable as tides
- As steady as calendar months
29. As binding as gravity’s pull
Meaning: A demand that holds you without escape.
Example Sentences:
- His influence was as binding as gravity’s pull.
- The rules were as binding as gravity’s pull.
Other Ways to Say:
- As fixed as a magnetic force
- As constant as sunrise
30. As mandatory as signatures on contracts
Meaning: A formal demand that finalizes an agreement.
Example Sentences:
- Approval was as mandatory as signatures on contracts.
- Consent felt as mandatory as signatures on contracts.
Other Ways to Say:
- As compulsory as seals on letters
- As official as stamps on documents
31. As necessary as air to breathe
Meaning: Something essential, without which life or progress cannot continue.
Example Sentences:
- Education felt as necessary as air to breathe for her future.
- For a writer, imagination is as necessary as air to breathe.
Other Ways to Say:
- As vital as water in the desert
- As crucial as a heartbeat
32. As necessary as medicine to the sick
Meaning: A requirement for healing, survival, or relief.
Example Sentences:
- Her words were as necessary as medicine to the sick.
- For growth, guidance is as necessary as medicine to the sick.
Other Ways to Say:
- As vital as a cure to pain
- As helpful as bandages to wounds
33. As expected as rain in spring
Meaning: A requirement that arrives naturally at its season.
Example Sentences:
- Their apology was as expected as rain in spring.
- The exam was as expected as rain in spring.
Other Ways to Say:
- As natural as leaves falling in autumn
- As certain as frost in winter
34. As demanded as soldiers in war
Meaning: A call for service when there’s no room to decline.
Example Sentences:
- His bravery was as demanded as soldiers in war.
- Resources became as in-demand as soldiers in war.
Other Ways to Say:
- As necessary as weapons in battle
- As vital as strategy in war
35. As required as a heartbeat
Meaning: The most fundamental and unavoidable necessity.
Example Sentences:
- Her presence was as required as a heartbeat.
- For life, hope is as required as a heartbeat.
Other Ways to Say:
- As vital as breath itself
- As constant as blood flow
Conclusion
Similes for being required highlight how deeply necessity and obligation shape our lives. Whether it’s work, relationships, or responsibilities, these expressions make the idea of being needed more vivid and relatable.
By comparing obligation to everyday experiences, similes bring clarity, emotion, and even creativity to writing.
Using them can help you show not just that something is required—but how essential, unavoidable, or pressing it truly feels.
