1
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
2
as in to need
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
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3
as in to wish
to see fit
do what you want
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4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
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1
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the proverb that begins, "for want of a nail, the shoe was lost"
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2
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
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3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
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4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
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5
as in failing
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of want
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Now, the barn has become extremely popular with animal lovers who want to spend a night with the 12-year-old miniature Shetland pony.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Maya Walsh-Little, SELF, 15 Dec. 2025
Looking back, his own biggest want had once been for a world globe, and she had been thrilled to give him one.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Tyreek Hill wants to return to the Dolphins, per his agent, but that must be sorted out.
—Noun
The want to feel wanted is universal.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
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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Even if the House succeeded in impeaching a judge, the Senate would need to affirm that decision by a two-thirds majority vote.—
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Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Chris Williams planned to assist Fincke and Cardman in suiting up and preparing the tools and equipment that would be needed outside the space station.—
Verb
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Callers wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700 or contact Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP or online here.—
-
If a person exclusively spent every weekday sitting in an office cubicle before heading to the gym, that person might wish for the chance to take a walk outside once in a while — horses feel the same way, Cobb said.—
Verb
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The prospectors liked to compare the warm, unctuous caress of the silt on their legs and thighs to the kisses of ten thousand lips, rather than imagine that the river had nothing to offer them—except mud.—
-
Bagail 8-piece Packing Cube Set While dress codes during the day skew casual on board a ship, passengers do like to dress up at night, which means the pressure is on to pull together a classy outfit that’s not on repeat.—
Noun
-
Dead drummer Mickey Hart said at one point legendary concert promoter Bill Graham vented to him about the lack of catchy songs.—
-
The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Noun
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Wagner said the shortages of equipment and staff will have a lasting impact on rebuilding in his community.—
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Sale speculation has surrounded Puma since last September, and there’s been no shortage on who could be buyers for the German sportswear brand.—
Noun
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The funding went toward three federal programs, two of which focus on lifting families with children out of poverty.—
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As a group, Native Americans face high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and mental illness — all are risk factors for addiction.—
Noun
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Stephen Ross, the Miami Dolphins’ majority owner since 2009, is now looking for his eighth different head coach in a parade of floundering, flailing and failing.—
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Robotics startups typically prefer to show off their research prototypes in videos on social media, offering them the opportunity to show the machines at their best and edit out their failings.—
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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