1
as in wrong
falling short of a standard
we tried her cooking and found it to be very wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
at this time of year food for many wild animals is wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absent
not present or in evidence
grass is almost entirely wanting in that arid wasteland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in craving
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
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 wishing
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in liking
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanting
Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Adjective
Verdon demanded much of herself and of others, in her relationships, in her work, and Williams captured that hunger, along with the vulnerability that so much wanting lays bare.
—Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
But subversion at the expense of any agency or enjoyment makes for the wrong kind of friction in an experience like this.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
-
One wrong step sent Luhn hurtling down the side of the mountain.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As Hit Me Hard and Soft soars, the full-length that introduced Eilish to millions of people around the world returns to multiple tallies after being absent just days ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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This material is not to be reproduced or redistributed absent the written consent of Fairlead Strategies.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
25 Aug. 2025
Preposition
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An immigration violation is considered a civil, not criminal, offense and can include overstaying a visa or working without permission.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The Bearcats played without junior offensive lineman Omar Din-mbuh and senior defensive end Carson Dempsey, a Tulsa pledge — they were sidelined with injuries.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That is the difference-making play the Senators have been craving in net, and it’s helped push them into the playoff race.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
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Bal Harbor Shops is creating experiences, which is what Millennials, who wield the wallet power today, are craving.—
Sharon Edelson,
Forbes,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Hertz’s 10-month delay in contacting you is unacceptable and likely violates their own policies for handling claims efficiently.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
28 Aug. 2025
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By the federal government’s own standards, USAID’s fire sale is unacceptable.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
California's Regulatory Actions California revised its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) targets, now requiring that 60% of electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, as a step towards its 2045 goal of 100% clean energy.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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In Florida, Our Children’s Trust brought its latest case because there still are provisions in the law requiring state agencies to prioritize renewable energy, Rodgers said.—
Amy Green,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Quesadillas These sheet pan chicken fajita quesadillas are a hassle-free way to make a crowd-pleasing meal without standing over the stove.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
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Instead, lean into what feels good, and if that’s pleasing your boo above all else, that may tell you something.—
Quispe López,
Them,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But mid-majors with double-digit seeds are worth enjoying on occasion.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Bring the mixture to a boil and let cool before enjoying.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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