DESIRES Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

desires 1 of 2

noun

plural of desire

as in appeals

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

Relevance

desires

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of desire

as in craves

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requests

to make a request for the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

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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 desires

Noun

The swoons were often brought on by their own desires to capitalize on demand by putting up new plants. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 And in essence, Kris undergoes her transition, venturing from being uncomfortable in her own skin and discovering how to surrender to erotic, sometimes dangerous desires. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 For his story was a record of his most debauched thoughts and desires. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Every conversation becomes a set of pain points, desires and signals that can be clustered, compared and prioritized. — Aj Bubb, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Experienced anglers can lead you and your family on a fishing experience that’s perfectly suited to your skill level and desires. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 More importantly, consider themes surrounding your confidence, creativity, romantic desires and passion projects. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Other people’s desires, a mother taken by a new vision of herself. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026 Satisfying both desires inadvertently led to the invention of the laugh track. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Aug. 2026

Verb

Jaissle desires an on-field lieutenant in midfield who can provide a calm head and help guide and nurture the younger players around him. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Concerns should be raised honestly, and employees should cooperate in good faith, remembering that the new manager was hired for their experience and knowledge that the organization desires. — Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 In Cancer, Venus desires emotional safety, loyalty and genuine intimacy. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026 Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 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. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desires

Noun

This week's hearings mark the first major step in Anthony's post-conviction appeals process following his sentencing.

— CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
If the dispute is not resolved during the examination, UnitedHealth can pursue the IRS administrative appeals process and potentially litigate the matter.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of appeals

Verb

Yes, the automaker’s famed dual-clutch PDK remains the way to go if pure speed is what a driver craves, but those who feel that rowing through the gears adds to the experience can now choose to upgrade the model with the MT package.

— Bryan Campbell, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
In any case, local elections scheduled for November will provide a bellwether for whether her message has cut through with a Taiwanese electorate that craves neither confrontation nor political absorption.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of craves

Verb

The person asked for gas money and Bitcoin, requests the family found suspicious because Goods doesn't drive and didn't have a car in Las Vegas.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Districts have to abide by Wisconsin’s open records law, meaning that reams of records are available to anyone who formally requests them.

— Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

Through May, prosecutors had charged fewer than four dozen people with crimes related to noncitizen voting, ProPublica’s analysis of DOJ data and federal court filings shows, getting convictions or guilty pleas in 14 cases.

— Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026
And in 2020, the Daily News reported that one Bronx gun suspect was acquitted and two others were allowed to withdraw felony guilty pleas after Habib admitted evidence in the case had been tampered with.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of pleas

Verb

The proposals come as Georgia seeks to keep up with the growing demand for electricity driven by data centers.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Known for unique design flair, such as the Stellar TV's concrete back mounts, Loewe seeks to establish itself in top luxury destinations, building a global lifestyle ecosystem focused on craftsmanship and innovation.

— John Archer, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of seeks

Noun

The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office thanked everyone who helped in the three-day search and asked people to keep the woman's family in their thoughts and prayers.

— Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter and all who loved you.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of prayers

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Style

“Desires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desires. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of desires

noun

verb

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