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Should

/ʃʊd/

(modal, auxiliary verb, defective) Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Should"

verb

1
(modal, auxiliary verb, defective) Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.
"I hope that we shall win the game."
2
Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.
"(determination): You shall go to the ball!"
3
Used in questions with the first person singular or plural to suggest a possible future action.
"Let us examine that, shall we?"
4
To owe.

noun

1
A statement of what ought to be the case as opposed to what is the case.

verb

1
To make a statement of what ought to be true, as opposed to reality.

verb

1
(auxiliary) Be obliged to; have an obligation to; indicates that the subject of the sentence has some obligation to execute the sentence predicate or that the speaker has some strong advice but has no authority to enforce it.
"What do I think? What should I do?"
2
(auxiliary) ought to; speaker's opinion, or advice that an action is correct, beneficial, or desirable.
"I should exercise more often, but I'm too lazy."
3
(auxiliary) Will be likely to (become or do something); indicates a degree of possibility or probability that the subject of the sentence is likely to execute the sentence predicate.
"When you press this button, the pilot flame should ignite."
4
(auxiliary, subjunctive) Used as a variant of the present subjunctive.
"If I should be late, go without me."

🔄 Synonyms of "Should"

4 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
needverb	(transitive) To have an absolute requirement for.
mustnoun	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.
oughtverb	(auxiliary, formal, dated) Indicating duty or obligation.
had betterverb	(idiomatic, with bare infinitive, informal) Should; ought to; need to; must.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Should"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
oughtverb	(auxiliary, formal, dated) Indicating duty or obligation.
mustnoun	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.
needverb	(transitive) To have an absolute requirement for.
had betterverb	(idiomatic, with bare infinitive, informal) Should; ought to; need to; must.
supposedverb	(idiomatic) Only used in supposed to
expected	Anticipated; thought to be about to arrive or occur.
forecastnoun	A prediction of the weather.
anticipated	expected to arrive; scheduled
needsnoun	(archaic) Either directly or indirectly preceded or followed by an auxiliary verb, often must: of necessity or need; necessarily, indispensably.
thinkverb	(transitive) To ponder, to go over in one's mind.
thoughverb	(conjunctive) Despite that; however.
neededverb	Necessary; being required.
requiredverb	Necessary; obligatory; mandatory.
casenoun	An actual event, situation, or fact.
eventnoun	An occurrence; something that happens.
betterverb	Greater or lesser (whichever is seen as more advantageous), in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
schedulednoun	Planned; according to schedule.
letverb	(transitive) To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without to).
debitnoun	A sum of money taken out of a bank account. Thus called, because in bank's bookkeeping a cash withdrawal diminishes the amount of money held on the account, i.e. bank's debt to the customer.
yingnoun	A surname.