1
as in urge
a strong wish for something
a desire for adventure and excitement prompted him to travel to Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passion
sexual appetite
ads for drugs that increase desire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in appeal
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
1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to seek
to make a request for
the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desire
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia publicized her bid for Council president, thrusting the typical backroom negotiations into the public eye while citing a desire to disrupt a process that has become exclusive and turned the job into an appointment.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers are coming to town next weekend with their own impressive head coach-quarterback pairing, even if the rest of the roster leaves something to be desired.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
You'd be forgiven for being a little sick of A Christmas Story, Bob Clark's beloved tale about 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and the Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle he so fiercely desires.
—Verb
Repeat along your lower lash line as desired.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
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The urge to distinguish oneself wouldn’t tug as strongly.—
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Cookie cravings, a tinge of melancholy, and the urge to hibernate and fix your life all at once.—
Noun
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Eventually, his parents surrendered to his passion for figure skating.—
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Collegial car vibes For many of the program’s students, the schooling offers a chance to professionalize their passion.—
Noun
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Without question, Bardot expanded the appeal of international films from cinephiles and college students.—
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The appeal of Charli’s account was that her reviews were funny, yes, and a glimpse into her culture diet in relation to her own work.—
Verb
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Sacramento State’s 6-foot-11, 270-pound senior craves the opportunity to devour defenders in the lane with post moves, or a pass to an open shooter after a double-team, or to thunder-dunk on the run as one regal finisher.—
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For the wine lover craving a Napa experience without Napa’s price tag or crowds, Lodi offers the perfect alternative.—
Verb
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The Henderson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families—no matter how much time has passed.—
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One of the state's most experienced former lawmakers seeks to return to the Arkansas House, but faces opposition from a first-time candidate unimpressed by the record the veteran left behind.—
Noun
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Blending Sufi classics, absurdist dreams, careful mathematical calculations and lyrical narratives, Ismailov invents an ingenious transnational poetics of love and longing for the digital age.—
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The documentary explores that moment as both a turning point in the investigation and a look at Wuornos’ history of abuse and abandonment — and the longing for connection that runs through her story.—
Noun
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Her memoir writing on the independent artist’s life has driven me to purchase silk sheets and lust after writing sheds, while novels like The Man Who Saw Everything glitter with ambitious formal turns.—
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By contrast, Bondi’s vow of wrathful punishment is profoundly illiberal, suggesting a lust for criminal vengeance.—
Noun
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Ruppe took a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired in the death.—
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In 2018, Luchin was charged with robbing a bank in Orinda and later sentenced to a year in jail through a plea deal.—
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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