Synonyms of crave

crave

verb

ˈkrāv 

as in to want

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

craves ice cream at all hours of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb crave differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crave are covet, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When could covet be used to replace crave?

While in some cases nearly identical to crave, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When might desire be a better fit than crave?

The meanings of desire and crave largely overlap; however, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When is it sensible to use want instead of crave?

Although the words want and crave have much in common, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When can wish be used instead of crave?

The words wish and crave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crave

Taiwan produces most of the high-performing computer chips craved by the U.S. and others and has long enjoyed a trade surplus with Washington. —Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2025

At that moment in his life, Bacon was craving some peace of mind. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025

For those who still crave that feeling, but don’t have a private-jet budget, BeOnd—a boutique, all-business-class airline—is pitching itself as the next best thing. —Scott Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025

People were craving an alternative to cable news and wanted truthful reporting, and the MeidasTouch Network delivered. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025