1
as in urge
a strong wish for something
a desire for adventure and excitement prompted him to travel to Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passion
sexual appetite
ads for drugs that increase desire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in appeal
an earnest request
at the delegate's desire, the voice vote on the controversial measure was followed by an actual roll call
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to seek
to make a request for
the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desire
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025
Liz, who had been diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, captured the hearts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who heard of her desire to undertake exciting photographic assignments in the last months of her life.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
For any such situation, a new business at Westfield Mission Valley is offering everything a slime craver might desire: slime making workshops, slime diplomas, slime birthday parties and slime cupcakes.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
Chief among them is the desire to be in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings after this weekend.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025
Liz, who had been diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, captured the hearts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who heard of her desire to undertake exciting photographic assignments in the last months of her life.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
Sometimes this connection is conceptual, as if the artist desires to plug in to humanity itself.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
For any such situation, a new business at Westfield Mission Valley is offering everything a slime craver might desire: slime making workshops, slime diplomas, slime birthday parties and slime cupcakes.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
Leaders stop feeling the urge to always be right or have the final word.—
Wilson Luna,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Channels the inner, bestial urges to release an unworldly howl that pushes back any nearby enemies.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Captain Joe touched the lives of many with his kindness, passion, and love for the water.—
David Goodhue
August 18,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Jones was keen to capitalize on the boundless passion Americans had at the college level, and introducing pep rallies was a big way to entrench fans into the world of the Cowboys.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There's got to be a better system that will see all these appeals through quicker.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Despite those convictions, Daybell has filed an appeal in Arizona, arguing misconduct and judicial prejudice and is scheduled to appear virtually from Idaho while serving her life terms.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With Dejan Kulusevski still recovering from knee surgery, Spurs desperately crave a playmaker and Eze fits the bill perfectly.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
-
However, those who adopt the top-gun role are much more likely to steer their coaching company with clarity, confidence and the kind of conviction clients crave.—
Doaa K. Darwish,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee is seeking more information from Empower, one of the largest recordkeepers that plans to offer its 401(k) clients a private equity option as early as next quarter.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Symptoms like dizziness, dark urine, or confusion should prompt you to increase fluid intake or seek medical care.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Opper’s performance as Max, an android longing to be human, drew critical praise.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
-
With love, with longing, with righteous rage or shameful guilt, on a sacrificial pyre or in the eternal flames of hell: There are so many ways to burn.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The film, which features only two speaking roles, consists of seven conversations between a married couple with each flinch of resentment, lust, and morbid curiosity magnified at close range.—
Tiara Ataii,
Vulture,
24 June 2025
-
There is nothing, these films insist, quite like that first blush (and flush) of love (and lust).—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
As part of the plea agreement, Yager completed 40 hours of community service and DUI school.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The Abraham Lincoln High School standout drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2004 is scheduled to begin a 6-month sentence Tuesday after allegedly failing to satisfy the terms of a plea agreement for his part in a healthcare fraud case, according to TMZ.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share