WANT Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

want 1 of 2

verb

ˈwȯnt

Definition of want

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

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

as in to wish

to see fit do what you want

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to like

to wish to have I want some ice cream for dessert, please

Synonyms & Similar Words

want

2 of 2

noun

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

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

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

as in poverty

the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions grew up in extreme want

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in failing

a defect in character she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Johnson wants to contribute the $75 million toward that $363 million payment for next year. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 In 2013, a group wanted to build a 72,000-square-foot entertainment center there with movie theaters, bowling and laser tag. — Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

One common framework is the 50/30/20 budget, which reserves a share of take-home pay for wants after needs, savings and debt repayment. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also recommends creating a weekly or monthly spending limit for wants based on your own spending patterns. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for want

Recent Examples of Synonyms for want

Verb

Chris Pratt believes audiences are craving different kinds of stories from Hollywood.

— Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Steinbrenner disagreed, showing frustration with questions about his stance on a salary cap, the thing owners crave most in the next CBA.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of crave

Verb

Further research will be needed to determine how the motor behaves under different operating conditions and whether the principle can be incorporated into functional molecular technologies.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Authorities were assessing who else needed help, including many whose homes weren't flooded but were cut off by floodwaters.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of need

Verb

For customers wishing to upgrade older Fireflys, costs come in at around $2,500 (17,000 Yuan) for full purchase or a $450 (3,000 Yuan) service fee for BaaS customers.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The 11,000-square-foot penthouse in question is being designed by Ferris Rafauli for its current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of wish

Verb

On the other side is Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist former military chief who is temperate and broadly liked but lacks the political instincts to become a clear favorite.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
The Cougars stuffed all the ways Utah likes to run the ball until Dampier took matters into his own hands and posted a season high in rushing in electrifying style.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of like

Noun

The demonstrations first erupted last month in a high school in Creteil, southeast of Paris, over a lack of staff.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Management is guiding to flat EBITDA margins for the year, as lower-margin acquisitions and a fading FX tailwind offset productivity gains, so don't be worried about a lack of profitability growth in coming quarters.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of lack

Noun

The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
In India millions of men in poverty were sterilized during the Emergency (1975–77), when the government declared a state of emergency and curtailed civil liberties.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

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Style

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

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Synonyms of want

verb

noun

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