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"
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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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
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Recent Examples of want
Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Read more Lake Mead Map and List of Cities Hosting Events for Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22
Lower Basin representatives, however, want the Upper Basin to absorb a share of usage cuts during drought years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Creating them just creates complications for their innies, introducing difficult moral dilemmas and new wants.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
The survivor advocacy group wants abusive clergy — and church leaders who’ve covered up their crimes — to be ejected from the ministry.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Read more Lake Mead Map and List of Cities Hosting Events for Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22
Lower Basin representatives, however, want the Upper Basin to absorb a share of usage cuts during drought years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
Healthy conflict can bring partners closer by opening the door to deep, meaningful conversations about wants and needs, which can then lead to problem-solving.
—Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Creating them just creates complications for their innies, introducing difficult moral dilemmas and new wants.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
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Some might suggest that these delusions of grandeur are designed to tranquilize the nervous masses; regardless, the public obviously craves them.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Andy’s almost three decades with the company gives him reason to validate Dan Black’s viewpoint at EY: younger generations crave autonomy but also want to be part of something bigger.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Not every villain needs to be Thanos – sometimes the best/worst ones, like Val, lean more toward real life.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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While Meta says it’s made progress in embedding AI across its apps — to support content recommendations, moderation, and ad targeting — the company’s focus will need to be on direct monetization.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This is part of Israel Katz’s Ministry of Defense plan to encourage those who wish to permanently relocate, aligning with President Trump’s vision for the relocation of Gazans.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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So both of us very much wish to find our own places.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There will always be Penguins fans who don’t like Ovechkin, and there will always be Capitals fans who don’t like Crosby.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Whether Grandpa was in charge of making his famous recipe, helped Grandma whip up his favorite cake, or just liked to put in a request for his favorite dessert, these recipes are just like the ones Grandpa always looked forward to eating after Easter dinner.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His quickness getting across the crease, his evident athleticism, more than made up for any lack of experience.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Additionally, only 10% of indie authors and publishers earn more than $10,000 annually, often due to a lack of promotional strategy.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What these Deals Tell Us About Investor Demand The first quarter transactions in Brooklyn and Manhattan signal robust investor confidence in free market multifamily, driven by the appeal of assets with minimal regulatory constraints and the city's persistent housing shortage.—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Earlier this month, analysts at BTIG said tariffs could make dining operators like Texas Roadhouse vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and product shortages.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The prosperous timber industry, having stripped the region of its eastern white pine, was in retreat, leaving poverty in its wake.—
Charles Arrowsmith,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Warren harvested greens, potatoes and watermelons as part of an effort to address food insecurity and health concerns in a neighborhood challenged by blight, crime and poverty.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Though authorities in South Yorkshire and centrally were to blame for the disaster, some of the deceased were still fighting for their lives when those responsible started shifting the focus away from their own failings, buttressed by support from craven sections of the media.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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It is meant as a critique of the ideological gatekeepers who may, for example, blame voters for their party’s failings rather than the party itself.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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