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
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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
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
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
But White wanted to see boxing spectacles made more accessible.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
Liberty Mutual Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Learn More Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance policies that are available nationwide and customizable to fit your wants and needs.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Smith has been getting more serious about wanting to be an actor.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
But White wanted to see boxing spectacles made more accessible.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
Noun
Importantly, a dog’s wants and needs do not always align with what their owners expect, and this is a crucial point in regards to animal welfare.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
Liberty Mutual Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Learn More Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance policies that are available nationwide and customizable to fit your wants and needs.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
Choose low-salt snacks: Lower-sodium snack options, like unsalted nuts or plain popcorn, can help satisfy a salt craving and offer more nutrition than salty chips.14 Expand your seasonings: Use herbs and spices to flavor your meals without table salt.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
5 June 2025
-
Anecdotal evidence suggests that people taking these drugs could be suddenly drawn to sugary perfumes and scents, possibly even craving them.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
These deals can be common with co-conspirators whose testimony is needed or whose experience also involved being victimized by the main target of an investigation.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
-
The last thing that the president needs is for a dollar decline to add more inflationary pressure.—
Desmond Lachman,
National Review,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Godbout’s cousin wanted to create a video compilation made up of various clips from close friends and family wishing her well after the major surgery.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
While entry is free, anyone who wishes to camp or go off-roading or ATVing in the area will need to pay $5 per day or get a $30 season pass.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
So, having family and friends there, so many reasons to like it.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
-
He’s got a bit of a swagger about him that people are going to really like.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
In American literature, this is perhaps a relatively recent phenomenon too, one that could be attributed to a lack of global (and local) educational foundation.—
Aram Mrjoian
June 6,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
-
Temple students have criticized the center’s lack of visibility on campus, its initiatives largely unknown to them.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Korn Ferry predicts a global shortage of up to 85 million tech workers by 2030.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
It is well established that Connecticut has long grappled with severe shortages in its affordable housing supply.—
Jamie Kennedy,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
And that's particularly true for transgender folks, who already tend to face higher rates of discrimination, violence and poverty.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
But as repayments mount, the burden will strain developing economies and divert resources from priorities such as health care, education and poverty reduction, the Lowy Institute wrote.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Which, truth be told, seems like more than just a moral failing.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
-
In the Obama years, the media lost all pretense of impartiality by cheering for our first Black president rather than telling the truth about his failings, especially in foreign affairs and budgeting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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