lust

1 of 2

noun

ˈləst How to pronounce lust (audio)
Synonyms of lustnext
1
: usually intense or unbridled sexual desire : lasciviousness
He was motivated more by lust than by love.
2
a
: an intense longing : craving
a lust to succeed
b
: enthusiasm, eagerness
admired his lust for life
3
obsolete
a
: pleasure, delight
b
: personal inclination : wish

lust

2 of 2

verb

lusted; lusting; lusts

intransitive verb

: to have an intense desire or need : crave
specifically : to have a sexual urge

Synonyms of lust

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of lust in a Sentence

Noun He was consumed by lust. He was driven by a lust for power. Lust for chocolate drew her into the candy store. Verb I'm lusting after that new SUV
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Seeking sense to her loveless existence, at least in the novel Ana attracts the predatorial lust of Magistral Fermín de Pas, her sensual confessor at La Vetusta cathedral, as well as the attentions of local Don Juan Álvaro Mejías. — John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 Alexander Skarsgård and Olivia Colman play bizarro newlyweds in a naughty parable about lust, jealousy and moral hypocrisy. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Gone are the beer bashes, the thrill of invention and any hint that Zuckerberg lusted for something — women, attention, clout — other than a quarterly earnings report. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Other men on the street and at work in the surroundings alternately lust after and spy on the sisters. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lust

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lust pleasure and perhaps to Latin lascivus wanton

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lust was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing lust

Rhymes for lust

See All Rhymes for lust

Browse Nearby Words

lusory
lust
luster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lust. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lust

1 of 2 noun
ˈləst How to pronounce lust (audio)
1
: sexual desire especially if strong or uncontrolled
2
: a strong longing : craving

lust

2 of 2 verb
: to have a strong desire : crave
especially : to have a strong sexual desire
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