1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to need
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wish
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the proverb that begins, "for want of a nail, the shoe was lost"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in failing
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 want
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
DirecTV will continue to offer its Extra Innings package for fans who want access to out-of-market games but do not want to stream them.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Serious worm farmers will want to invest in some worm food to ensure their nightcrawlers get the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals to create a plump, tasty bait that no self-respecting fish can resist.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
DirecTV will continue to offer its Extra Innings package for fans who want access to out-of-market games but do not want to stream them.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The masses, demeaned and starved, see in tyranny a tantalizing elixir of equality and self-respect, which will liberate them from élite domination and deliver them from want and anxieties.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
And for anyone who craves the Charlotte that existed before the craft cocktail boom and the rooftop bar era, this basement-level pub is a gift.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Las Vegas has desperately been looking for its long-term signal-caller, and Mendoza provides the consistency and professionalism that the Raiders have craved for decades at the position.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The president then urged Senate Republicans to combine all of those bills and amendments into one piece of legislation, eliminate the filibuster, and skip their two-week Easter recess, due to start at the end of this week, if needed to pass it.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
-
And Wright will need to explain how the administration’s latest emergency measure to keep oil flowing, a temporary sanctions waiver on Iran itself, won’t undermine US military objectives.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For voters wishing to participate in the special election, the last day to register is Monday, April 20, 2026.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Daniel Radcliffe, the original Harry Potter in the movies, has given his blessing to the series and wished McLaughlin well in taking over the role.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
People who like luscious heritage hotels packed to the rafters with stories.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Those who like combative, left-leaning leaders might cast their votes for one of these two Washington vets.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, a lack of Democratic support for weakening the filibuster prevented them from passing that legislation, but Republicans were also vehemently opposed and leaned on arguments about protecting states’ rights.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That played into his lack of worry about Iowa’s turnaround from its Sunday upset of defending national champion and top-seeded Florida, at least from a physical and travel standpoint.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that ICE officers would not replace TSA officers, but instead fill gaps created by staffing shortages.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Staffing shortages have forced some travelers to build in significantly more time before flights – sometimes hours more than usual.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pandemic programs expired and poverty rates bounced right back up to the old, dreadful, American levels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your experience was not a personal failing.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Because the Duggars adhere to a fundamentalist fringe of evangelicalism, the liberal media are often quick to use the family’s failings as a cautionary tale about Christianity in general, and conservatives can be too quick to interpret criticism of the family as criticism of the church.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
