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
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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"
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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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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of want
Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Teams can also work through contract restructures, possible pay cuts or incentive-heavy deals if both sides want a player to stay.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Just grit and determination and want-to.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Both want to keep the good times going, so there will be a push for improvement with the team finally facing some notable expectations.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Teams can also work through contract restructures, possible pay cuts or incentive-heavy deals if both sides want a player to stay.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
All 306 lost their official Nooksack enrollment for want of sufficient documentation, even though many had lived in the community for decades, if not their whole life.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Just grit and determination and want-to.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
For those craving a more formal dining experience, head to Saltwood.—
Nneka M. Okona,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With the rise in popularity of the bourbon industry over the past couple of decades, consumers crave innovation and authenticity.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Over the past decade, member states of the European Union – of which the UK is not a member – have already doubled their defense expenditures, but more spending is needed, the defense chiefs argued.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What does the law require of people who wish to become citizens of the United States and gain the right to vote?—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This being said, the IOC is willing to make an exception to the Guidelines in this specific case should the athlete wish to pay tribute to his fellow athletes and express his sorrow by wearing a black armband or ribbon without any personalization.—
Haley Ott,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Feltner likes the direction the Rockies are headed under a new front office and pitching staff as camp opens.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Minnesota goodbye College hockey coaches generally don’t like to see their players leave school early for the professional ranks.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Several cultural events, including a book fair, have been postponed in Cuba this month as the island grapples with the most severe fuel shortages and power blackouts in years.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, power outages and staff shortages also might be at play.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Private schools, particularly Catholic schools, have demonstrated extraordinary success — even in communities struggling with poverty.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In Detroit, where nearly half of children under 5 years old live below the poverty level, the launch marks the program's largest expansion.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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Foster acknowledged state efforts to hold the district accountable have at times been justified, including in 2023 when TEA investigated chronic failings in the district’s special education department.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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