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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of want
Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2025
Especially in families with younger kids who want to watch all the Pixar movies, along with the adults, too.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
After fulfilling the accidental want of a girl named Vira, Christmas, winter symbols, and the magical powers of the wizards, disappear from people’s memories.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Second, as open kitchens remain standard, families want a kitchen that feels more like an extension of the living space.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2025
Especially in families with younger kids who want to watch all the Pixar movies, along with the adults, too.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
Records obtained by the Journal Sentinel show the two sides still appear far apart in their wants, according to contract offers submitted to a state arbitrator.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
After fulfilling the accidental want of a girl named Vira, Christmas, winter symbols, and the magical powers of the wizards, disappear from people’s memories.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
Every Major League Baseball team craves depth, and on Thursday, the Atlanta Braves were able to snake some from a National League rival.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The situation unfolded earlier this week when TikToker Bookie Woodz posted a now-controversial clip, accusing Ayesha of craving male attention and subtly disrespecting her husband in the process.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
London desperately needs that at a time when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his ministers have been accused of harming business sentiment and investment with recent tax rises.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
However, the win was a team effort as forward Brianna Turner (four points, six rebounds), forward Mikayla Timpson (nine points), guards Shey Peddy, Lexie Hull, and Aerial Powers brought the defensive energy and physicality that Indiana desperately needed.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Surely nothing is sadder than Christmas in a state of solitude, and nothing more fervently wished for than Christmas in the company of another.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Those wishing to relive the 200-meter dash showdown can watch the race here on the World Athletics YouTube channel.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Brandon, 13, likes to stay active by playing sports, especially football, basketball and kickball.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Thirteen prefer going across; Eight like to go around.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The lack of clarity is compounded by the fact that many of Turning Point’s largest vendors are limited liability companies registered in states that do not mandate public ownership disclosure.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The company claims that the problem of the lack of waste heat in electric drive systems is elegantly solved by integrating a high-efficiency heat pump.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But in the Midwest and the Northeast, where the housing shortage remains most acute, prices have kept high.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Developers face rising costs, labor shortages, and supply constraints.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Newer data shows more surprises about poverty rates and gender pay gaps by majors.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
As a result, Vietnam’s poverty rate has fallen to just 4%, according to the World Bank.—
Andres Oppenheimer
September 17,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To date, however, there has been almost no attention paid to Ascension's failings that made the attack possible.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Humans and their problems are messy and fickle; ChatGPT’s responses will be individual and its failings unpredictable in kind.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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