want 1 of 2

verb

ˈwȯnt How to pronounce want (audio)
Definition of wantnext
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

want

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Verb
Mom says now his children only want to come over on the weekends after their dad gets home. — Devonne Goode, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025 Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism toward the idea that Putin wants peace. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
Smart Technology And Green Building Practices Smart home technology is becoming more of a need than a want. — Nathan Levinson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 That leaves 10 percent of your income for wants, including travel, or for additional savings. — Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
  1. crave
  2. need
  3. wish
  4. like
  5. lack
  6. shortage
  7. poverty
  8. failing
Verb
  • And who’s not craving some good-versus-evil stuff right now?
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This high-paying job offers the intellectual stimulation introverts often crave, with projects that require sustained focus rather than constant collaboration.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of crave
Verb
  • Simon Hankinson, senior research fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, said there is a growing problem in Canada that does need to be addressed.
    — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Glickman said carriers have tools to manage short-term overcapacity as needed, including slow steaming, blank sailings or putting vessels on idle.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of need
Verb
  • And after West Side Story and Shazam, Zegler and her bob are probably wishing on that well for a movie with a non-problematic co-star.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Anyone wishing to donate to Swiantek’s family can do so at ourcommunityheros.org.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of wish
Verb
  • Over 309,000 users liked the post and over 3,400 commented.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The heaviest bend would have come immediately after the hook set, which never occurs (maybe Quint liked circle hooks).
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of like
Noun
  • And his lack of pace is why Dawson was omitted from the club’s 25-man Premier League squad at the end of the winter transfer window, albeit the former West Ham United favourite is still on the payroll with no agreement yet in place to bring a contract that expires in June to an early end.
    — Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Frustrated with a lack of fans at the neutral sites for four regionals, in 2023 the NCAA went to two regional locations.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of lack
Noun
  • Analysis by the think tank outlines how despite Putin's record spending, Russia's military industrial complex (MIC) is still beset by labor and component shortages, a collapse in arms exports and difficulties in modernizing.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Those shortages have allowed compounding pharmacies to produce and sell their own versions of GLP-1 drugs.
    — Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • Education means an end to hunger and an end to poverty.
    — UNICEF USA, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Experts say such migrants were escaping political unrest, gang violence, weather disasters caused by climate change and extreme poverty.
    — Russell Contreras, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of poverty
Noun
  • In recent weeks, the corporation has published two reviews into the historical behavior of presenters Russell Brand and Tim Westwood, both of which revealed failings in BBC processes around complaints handling.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Thankfully, this phone makes up for these failings with a slightly better software update policy.
    — Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of failing

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Cite this Entry

“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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