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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb want differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of want are covet, crave, desire, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When is it sensible to use covet instead of want?

While the synonyms covet and want are close in meaning, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When is crave a more appropriate choice than want?

In some situations, the words crave and want are roughly equivalent. However, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When might desire be a better fit than want?

Although the words desire and want have much in common, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

In what contexts can wish take the place of want?

The words wish and want can be used in similar contexts, but wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Examples 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
Verb
Whatever Kevin wanted to do, Lian would always be there. Anna Turning, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024 In a deal, the Phillies would likely want either Framber Valdez or Ryan Pressly as the key return. Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
It can easily be completely rearranged as per the customer's wants, hopes and needs. New Atlas, 26 Nov. 2024 About 43% want year-round standard time, 32% want permanent daylight saving time and 25% want to stick with the status quo, an October 2021 Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for want 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
  • Junior point guard Noah Mister craves being in the biggest moments for Mount Carmel.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Dec. 2024
  • However, the shop does make a double chocolate cookie with sea salt and a chocolate hazelnut petite cookie (available only seasonally) for those craving some chocolate.
    Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the restructuring happening there will be funded by GM's partners, the automaker does not need to infuse any cash in it.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • To Schilling, Hill, and their colleagues, this means that although predictive deep learning programs have their uses, the burden of proof needs to be much more rigorous when using them in situations such as medical research.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
    Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Gabriel did not wish to become an overworked, underpaid secondary-school teacher.
    Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Also, pay special attention to washing the folds of your skin, as bacteria likes to hang out there.
    Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Every upload of the trailer appears to have an underwater likes to dislikes ratio, indicating some level of pushback.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Windows 11 is still an appalling tablet OS with a crippling lack of touch-friendly apps, and the stylus has an irritating input lag that makes scribbling on screen unsatisfactory.
    Barry Collins, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • There is a lack of medical supplies, including prosthetics, wheelchairs and essential medications to treat people with injuries that have left them disabled, the press release said.
    Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There is a shortage of cheery Tennessee high school football news this week.
    Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • At the end of the day that means more shortages and more outages, and that can contribute to cancellations.
    Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation researchers reported in 2018 that while causes of stress for young people include poverty, trauma and discrimination, another is an excessive pressure to excel.
    Max Kutner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
  • To be eligible, patients must have income at or below four times the federal poverty level or have medical debt equal to 5% or more of their income.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Often, these norms suppress dissent, discourage employees from reporting unethical behavior or foster complacency among those who witness leadership failings.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • That, in turn, led to a campaign focused on the failings of the 118th Congress, historically one of the least productive in history.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near want

Cite this Entry

“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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