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

As skirts got shorter and the Jazz Age changed how women dressed, women wanted to show off their feet and looked for secure shoes for dancing. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Researchers ultimately want the technology to do more than identify anatomy. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 Analysts say Apple can go back to a model where its existing businesses go to the design team for direction, rather than designers reshaping ideas to fit what operations and finance want. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for want

Recent Examples of Synonyms for want

Verb

Residents crave open space in a neighborhood that’s become Miami’s concrete jungle.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
These individuals may use more marijuana than intended, spend substantial time obtaining or craving it and continue to use it despite physical and psychological problems.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crave

Verb

The cost of taking them in Liberia began rebuilding after a 14-year civil war ended in 2003, but Wesseh said the country still needs major investment.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Aries March 21 – April 19 The deadline competing with a relationship promise may need an honest update.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Verb

Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
After taking his kids on a family boat trip earlier this month, Brady turned to Instagram to wish his lookalike son, Jack Moynahan, a happy 19th birthday.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of wish

Verb

Right now the only person who likes Heather is Carmella, and that’s because Heather is throwing some work Carmella’s way and trying to find a law school apartment for her daughter Cat.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Nvidia reported blowout financial results on Wednesday , giving Wall Street analysts even more reasons to like its stock.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of like

Noun

Because of a lack of variety in Halal restaurants, neither of the men had tried barbecue besides brisket before their trip.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Fast growth and lack of warnings compound disaster Steiner said about 10% of Nepal’s power production was located in the valley affected by the latest disaster.

— Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of lack

Noun

Ukraine's long-range drones have repeatedly hit facilities in Russia's vital oil industry, causing fuel shortages, and have also engaged in a campaign against Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Wage growth hasn’t kept pace with inflation and the city faces its most severe housing shortage in a generation.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortage

Noun

If their income is between one and two times the federal poverty level, Central Health pays the balance of their monthly premium after federal tax credits have been applied.

— Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
Born in 1946, in a country recovering from a civil war and a world war, Rodríguez entered a life marked by poverty in the southern Spanish village of Añora.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

That Chansiri squandered that vast backing can be listed among his abundant failings.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Rather than treating a tired parent’s short fuse as a personal failing, the research suggests sleep, stress and parenting operate as part of a larger system.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of failing

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“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of want

verb

noun

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