CRAVE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of crave are covet , desire , want , and wish . While all these words mean "to have a longing for," crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need. // craves sweets

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

While in some cases nearly identical to crave , covet implies strong envious desire. // covets his rise to fame

Q: When might 'desire' be a better fit than 'crave'?

The meanings of desire and crave largely overlap; however, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. // desires to start a new life

Q: When is it sensible to use 'want' instead of 'crave'?

Although the words want and crave have much in common, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack. // wants to have a family

Q: When can 'wish' be used instead of 'crave'?

The words wish and crave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. // wishes for permanent world peace

crave

verb

ˈkrāv

Definition of crave next

as in to want

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy craves ice cream at all hours of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb crave differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crave are covet, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When could covet be used to replace crave?

While in some cases nearly identical to crave, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When might desire be a better fit than crave?

The meanings of desire and crave largely overlap; however, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When is it sensible to use want instead of crave?

Although the words want and crave have much in common, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When can wish be used instead of crave?

The words wish and crave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 crave Those who are craving a thin, crisp cookie pocked with rich, semi-sweet chips will love these giant rounds made with rice flour. —

Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 The aphids feed on plant juices and excrete honeydew, a sugary substance that ants crave. —

Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026 For vegan and vegetarian folks, craving juicy, tender tacos or a melt-in-your-mouth salmon sushi dish can feel agonizing. —

Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The product certainly has a fan in celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, who knows that in an era when travelers crave authenticity as much as innovation, passata delivers both in a single bottle. —

David Dickstein, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crave

Verb

Felicia Anderson, 39, is wanted on a half-dozen criminal counts, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault and weapons violations.

— Alexa Ashwell, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2026
Holland doesn't want to force sobriety on anyone.

— Charles Trepany, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Definition of want

Browse Nearby Words

crates

crave

craved

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Crave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crave. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of crave

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on crave

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

métier

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

The Words of the Week - May 1

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Games & Quizzes