desideratum

noun

Definition of desideratumnext
as in must
formal something that is needed or wanted a list of political desiderata

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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 desideratum For another, the chief desideratum of a flying car has never been gymnastic performance. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 Diversity isn’t necessarily an ethical desideratum in a collection. — New York Times, 28 Sep. 2021 Remaining at home is invariably the desideratum for most among the elderly, and this includes the wish to die at home. — Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020 Some of the author costs are used to pay reviewers, causing one to question whether the process is always unbiased, as is the desideratum. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desideratum
  1. must
  2. requirement
  3. wish
  4. condition
Noun
  • Tantísimo, a farm-to-table Latin American restaurant, shares a patio with the boarding house and is a must for dinner or Sunday brunch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As always, installing updates in a timely manner is also a must.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of must
Noun
  • The Spanish Navy and Navantia are working from operational requirements, and the final design must still go through procurement.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • American technology therefore qualified for the Commission’s own sovereign cloud requirements through a European operating structure.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • Right-leaning lawmakers have also expressed their wish to curtail individual rulings from Supreme Court justices, who have often suspended laws, issued sweeping injunctions and made high-impact orders without the authorization of the full bench.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The work, which debuted in Venice’s Immersive competition, follows three sisters and three brothers on their journey from Europe to Mauritania to fulfill the last wish of their father to be laid to rest beside his father in his native village.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wish
Noun
  • The company aims to develop a wider lineup of electric-propulsion ships suited to different operating conditions and customer requirements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That website works great in the demo—under specific conditions and without users with thumbs for fingers.
    — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of condition

Browse Nearby Words

desiderations
desideratum
design
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Cite this Entry

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

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