1
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
2
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
3
as in to wish
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
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
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of want
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 July 2025
Sanctions could have been immediate, if President Trump had wanted, or much higher - such as the 500 percent tariff rate being proposed in a bi-partisan bill in the US Senate.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Prices come from human interaction, as people’s unlimited wants collide with limited resources.
—The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
The two brothers haven’t seen eye to eye in years, and though King Charles reportedly wants to reconcile with his son—perhaps an aftereffect of his cancer journey, Prince William doesn’t seem as inclined to do so.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 July 2025
Sanctions could have been immediate, if President Trump had wanted, or much higher - such as the 500 percent tariff rate being proposed in a bi-partisan bill in the US Senate.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
Noun
Here's a list of National Donut Day deals in Greater Cincinnati that you do-nut want to miss.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Prices come from human interaction, as people’s unlimited wants collide with limited resources.
—The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
Some employees crave in-person collaboration, while others question the necessity of reverting to old norms.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
However, for visitors craving long stretches of uninterrupted coastline, Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park are fantastic destinations to explore.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
But on a global basis, the picture is different, and this needs to be investigated because global warming is the real issue.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Any education system that purports to care about children’s futures needs to not only electrify and green school buildings, but also categorically reject all contracts for energy-intensive AI products in schools.—
Liat Olenick,
New York Daily News,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Those wishing to provide monetary support to Heinz's parents, Shane and Amber, can do so through either Venmo or PayPal (daniellefaskell@gmail.com).—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
-
Alexander Isak wishing to leave Newcastle United is one thing; working out who could afford to buy him is quite another.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Costa's 2023 Hellcat Challenger Jailbreak modded by Hennessy with 1,100 horsepower may seem like overkill to some people, but Costa is a proud Mopar owner who likes the challenge his car gives him.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
-
While math inspired Medeiros, Jean Creighton likes to think about the ways that the motion of planets shapes our lives.—
Andrew Montequin,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Both actors, who have been previously married to other celebrities, have indicated a lack of interest in dating.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
-
Whether due to inadequate service, lack of knowledge and experience, or scheduling conflicts, transitioning to a planner who aligns better with your needs can provide the personalized and sophisticated support necessary for achieving your financial goals.—
Cicely Jones,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The initiative will create long-term parking or expand existing lots, aiming to combat the shortage of safe and accessible truck parking, according to a news release.—
Annie Goldman,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
-
It was further reported that The King’s Foundation brought in a specialist human resources consultancy, which upheld claims about staff shortages, inadequate management practices and low pay.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Jane comes from a background of poverty and has stayed in their hometown for the past 20 years, devoting herself to caregiving.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
-
People who make less than 400% of the federal poverty level will still receive financial support, but it will be reduced.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The questioning included probing organizational systems in place to manage risk, and NTSB board member Michael Graham noted the breakdowns were a failing of these essential programs.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Mitigating a threat is the priority for every security team, nobody wants to be dealing with the fallout of failings to do.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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