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

The strongest brands increasingly win not by pushing product harder, but by creating environments people want to belong to. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 For job seekers who want a more structured approach to tailoring applications, DashResume offers a practical set of tools. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 2 July 2026

Noun

The institutional want-to for Texas college football programs hasn’t gone anywhere. — Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 1 July 2026 What eludes Keynesians is that while our wants are unlimited, our ability to fulfill our wants is highly limited. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for want

Recent Examples of Synonyms for want

Verb

It’s located right on Route 66 and has that throwback feel road-trippers crave, with heated outdoor pools, fire pits, loaner bikes, and lawn games.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
For martini drinkers craving bubbles and spritz fans seeking something drier, this is where the two meet.

— Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026

Definition of crave

Verb

If Washington intends to withdraw forces, assets or capabilities, allies need a roadmap and a timeline.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Schjelderup, who assisted the second goal, too, jumped onto Haaland’s back again and pointed down at him, as if anyone in MetLife Stadium that day, or anyone watching at home, needed to know where to direct their attention.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of need

Noun

The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of shortage

Noun

Or that Franciscan fathers — members of an order dedicated to lives of poverty and humility — forced tribes to give up their foods, customs and religion in the name of Christ, rewarding them with serfdom.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
In recent years, Lampedusa has become Ground Zero of Europe’s migration debate as the continent struggles to police its borders while honoring its legal obligations to welcome refugees fleeing conflict, climate change and poverty.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

Yet, for those failings, the Selecao found a way to come through on both occasions – mainly due to the in-game changes Ancelotti made.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Such failings merits more analysis but there is surely some truth in left back Ali Abdi’s comments after a 4-0 filleting by Japan in their second game.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of failing

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Style

“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of want

verb

noun

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