COVET Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'covet' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covet are crave , desire , want , and wish . While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire. // covets his rise to fame

Q: When is 'crave' a more appropriate choice than 'covet'?

The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need. // craves sweets

Q: When is it sensible to use 'desire' instead of 'covet'?

The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. // desires to start a new life

Q: When might 'want' be a better fit than 'covet'?

While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack. // wants to have a family

Q: When could 'wish' be used to replace 'covet'?

In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. // wishes for permanent world peace

covet

verb

ˈkə-vət

Definition of covet

as in to crave

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy I've been coveting that sleek sports car in the showroom for some time now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb covet differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covet are crave, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When is crave a more appropriate choice than covet?

The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When is it sensible to use desire instead of covet?

The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When might want be a better fit than covet?

While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When could wish be used to replace covet?

In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, 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 covet If Ball was going to leave the only NBA team he’s ever known and a city in which he was beloved, going to a team that covets him as much as the Wolves is a good way to do it. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Because the superintendent role is elected, it has too often been coveted by career politicians looking for a landing spot. — Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 There are plenty of mules to covet this season, from Neous’s raffia mule, to Loewe’s Origami style, named so after the way the leather folds. — Talia Abbas, Vogue, 10 July 2026 Traveling nannies are coveted but rare, with some making up to $163,000 in the United Arab Emirates, according to the report. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for covet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for covet

Verb

If the public craves a trillion-dollar tax increase on the well-off, there are better ways to spend the money.

— Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
The pancake feels like a perfect example of that philosophy, playful, indulgent, and layered with the kind of attention that turns a late night craving into one of the city’s most memorable brunch dishes.

— Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

Definition of crave

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coves

covet

coveted

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“Covet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covet. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of covet

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