Synonyms of covet

covet

verb

ˈkə-vət 

as in to crave

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

I've been coveting that sleek sports car in the showroom for some time now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crave
• want
• desire
• enjoy
• love
• like
• pine (for)
• long (for)
• die (for)
• lust (for or after)
• wish (for)
• pant (after)
• repine (for)
• prefer
• hunger (for)
• sigh (for)
• salivate (for)
• itch (for)
• thirst (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• desiderate
• ache (for)
• yen (for)
• jones (for)
• yearn (for)
• admire
• relish
• set one's heart on
• adore
• spoil (for)
• fancy
• groove (on)
• delight (in)
• treasure
• cherish
• appreciate
• favor
• dig
• revel (in)
• value
• prize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• refuse
• reject
• spurn
• abominate
• execrate
• decline

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb covet differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covet are crave, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When is crave a more appropriate choice than covet?

The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When is it sensible to use desire instead of covet?

The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When might want be a better fit than covet?

While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When could wish be used to replace covet?

In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of covet

China and other countries covet America’s biomedical research success and have spent decades trying to catch up. —Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025

This suspenseful, charming tale begins in Yorkshire in 1926, when young Celie Sheppard daringly plucks a guillemot egg — coveted by collectors for their unusual shape and gorgeous, unique shell designs — from the side of a cliff. —Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

But Austin also covets Lee’s swaggering freedom, and their standoff echoes the climaxes of the Western films Lee adores. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Russia proper does not include Ukraine (or Crimea, Georgia, Romania, Greece and anything else Moscow's paranoia has long coveted). —arkansasonline.com, 25 Mar. 2025