1
as in craves
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 needs
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wishes
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in likes
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lacks
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
2
as in weaknesses
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wants
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Transgender athlete wants to drop her challenge Lindsay Hecox, a transgender student at Boise State University who convinced lower courts to temporarily block enforcement of Idaho’s ban, now wants to abandon her case.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Like, nobody wants to hang around.
—Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Currently, Arora wants to deepen Syfe’s presence in its existing markets.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
Johnson wants to bring conservative values to board Manatee County Supervisor of Elections records show Johnson filed for the District 6 seat on Tuesday.
—Carter Weinhofer, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Now, the doctor has to stop and have a conversation to explain what rotavirus and hepatitis B are, walk through the risks and benefits of each vaccine and ask what the parent wants to do.
—Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
The message is just Bruno Mars wants back on wedding playlists.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Buzz Hays wants to make sure his colleagues in Hollywood understand the pros and cons of generative AI, in particular, fine-tuning models.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
To figure out how Syria can best rebuild, its leaders and international supporters must understand the wants and needs of the country’s citizens.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Conversations regarding project details date back to November 2023 as staff and community members shared their wants and needs at public meetings.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
The nonprofit, which formed a year ago under the auspices of the Downtown Alliance, plans a public engagement process to examine key wants and needs downtown and inform a long-term improvement strategy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
There are many platforms to choose from, depending on the needs and specific wants of each organization.
—Jason Phillips, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Themes of beauty and harmony are top of mind, and your home is mirroring your wants and needs.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
This means 50 percent of money goes toward needs (such as bills, housing, groceries); 30 percent toward wants (subscriptions, social life and vacations); and 20 percent toward savings.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Records obtained by the Journal Sentinel show the two sides still appear far apart in their wants, according to contract offers submitted to a state arbitrator.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Though designers will still prioritize efficiency, the triangle might not always be the default layout to achieve what a homeowner wants.
—Noun
Instead of a set schedule and activities with no wiggle room, retreats will start to cater to your wants and needs.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
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Minneapolis knows that violence is exactly what this administration craves.—
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The league craves flexibility, and Barrett’s contract is the shortest.—
Verb
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Meanwhile, if a child or creative partner needs reassurance, your practical words can vanquish their anxieties and ensure any plans move forward without pressure.—
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Every great travel wardrobe needs a reliable layer, which is why the Bond Tank by Lioness on Amazon is a no-brainer—especially for 50 percent off.—
Verb
-
In the finale’s last moments, Alfie confronts Mindy, notices the ring on her finger and wishes her luck.—
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If the former Olympian wishes to see her daughter and Sophia agrees to it, then Farina will make good faith efforts to set up the visit, per the documents.—
Verb
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The Jets under Engstrand focus on a physical, aggressive style that likes quarterbacks to use a blend of RPOs, zone reads and play-action passes.—
-
The fun and flattering style works for all ages, and Manzone likes twisting hair back into a claw clip to keep things super youthful.—
Noun
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So Vegas has to hope that their forward depth is strong enough to balance out where their star power lacks, relative to other contenders.—
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This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Noun
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Each flour has its strengths and weaknesses.—
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Ultimately, my goal is to give form to the unspoken and the unseen, and to remind viewers that vulnerability, emotion and inner complexity are not weaknesses but shared human experiences.—
Verb
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As for Madigan's fellow nominee, Fanning plays Rachel Kemp, an American actress who desires more serious roles, in Norwegian film Sentimental Value.—
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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.—
Verb
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The best storytelling requires revision.—
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Then lawmakers passed a law that requires legislative approval for such an action.—
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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