DESIRES Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

desires 1 of 2

noun

plural of desire

as in appeals

an earnest request at the delegate's desire, the voice vote on the controversial measure was followed by an actual roll call

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

desires

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of desire

as in craves

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requests

to make a request for the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 desires

Noun

All come with a highly reusable tin for whatever your host’s heart desires. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 While black is the most popular choice, a company representative said the technology can accommodate virtually any color a brand desires. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 By the end, Bobby begins to have his own wants, curiosities and desires, Luster said — all filtered through a desperation to help and connect with Dina. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Campaigns have never been more subject to the desires of the wealthy. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 None of this takes into account our more primal drives and desires, which often sit at odds with the predictability and frictionlessness of technology. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 As two formidable women go head-to-head, their battle for the soul of Longview exposes the secrets, resentments, and desires lurking beneath its picture-perfect surface. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

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 The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 In Cancer, Venus desires emotional safety, loyalty and genuine intimacy. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026 Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 Anderson's Constance Van Ness, the head of a rich mining family in the frontier town of Angel’s Ridge, desires the silver buried beneath Jasper Hollow, a tract of land partially owned by Headey's headstrong Fiona, a mother to four orphans. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desires

Noun

Under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals will be heard by one of four people — former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera — who were jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Some appeals claim a donation deadline is approaching or suggest a candidate faces an immediate financial emergency.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of appeals

Verb

The suit also requests an assessment of potential future civil penalties against the city, per the motion.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The older man, plagued by an unknown illness, requests the narrator bury him and return to the location later, but bids him not to tell others of his death.

— Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

After hearing pleas from more than a dozen prominent community and business leaders, commissioners agreed to decertify the entertainment district and strip it of its special privileges.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Smart did not enter pleas to charges of being armed, or pretending to be armed, in a way that may cause fear and with making an unlawful threat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleas

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

The university admissions replacement system still has to be designed, and legal changes may be needed — leaving crucial decisions unresolved even as the government seeks to persuade students to end their protests.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The end of Vucic’s reign now ushers in a period of uncertainty as the disparate Student List seeks to establish a new order in the country.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of seeks

Noun

One community member told Fox News Digital that some congregations had even canceled afternoon prayers on the Sabbath as demonstrations across France descended into violence.

— Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Obeying Christ, the soon-to-be disciples got a hands-on lesson in the power of deeper, more humble prayers rather than surface-level efforts.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of prayers

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Style

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

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Synonyms of desires

noun

verb

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