CRAVES Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

craves

verb

present tense third-person singular of crave

as in wants

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy craves ice cream at all hours of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 craves In Kazan’s remake, Cathy craves power and freedom and manipulates the men in her life to achieve those goals. — Katie Gunderman, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 The only thing Dudamel refuses to deliver that the audience clearly craves is a solo bow. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Delap may prove to be the most significant of all the signings, as the former Chelsea striker provides the physical presence, pace and battling qualities Glasner craves. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Dourif was a hit as the amorous Nancy, who’s really just a shape-shifting creature that craves salt for her survival. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 Yes, the automaker’s famed dual-clutch PDK remains the way to go if pure speed is what a driver craves, but those who feel that rowing through the gears adds to the experience can now choose to upgrade the model with the MT package. — Bryan Campbell, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026 In any case, local elections scheduled for November will provide a bellwether for whether her message has cut through with a Taiwanese electorate that craves neither confrontation nor political absorption. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Alice craves mentorship but can’t help noting how often Nora drinks on the job; Nora, who discovers Alice having a panic attack in the bathroom, wonders whether the newbie stands a chance of making it in the Bureau. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 If the public craves a trillion-dollar tax increase on the well-off, there are better ways to spend the money. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for craves

Verb

Indonesia wants to benefit from both, Mari Pangestu, Indonesian National Economic Council's vice chair, told reporters at a University of Hong Kong Business School event.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Talarico wants all Americans to be able to join Medicare; Paxton proposed a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

— Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of wants

Verb

Jaissle desires an on-field lieutenant in midfield who can provide a calm head and help guide and nurture the younger players around him.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Concerns should be raised honestly, and employees should cooperate in good faith, remembering that the new manager was hired for their experience and knowledge that the organization desires.

— Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of desires

Browse Nearby Words

cravens

craves

craving

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Craves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craves. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of craves

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes