1
as in craves
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 needs
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 wishes
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in likes
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lacks
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
2
as in weaknesses
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 wants
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
October 23 – November 21 What quiet truth wants a little space?
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
John also becomes close to Laura, her husband, Piro, and their teen-age child Tali, who wants to become a jess herself.
—Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Relentlessly fast-paced and filled with hyperkinetic visuals, the sequel hits the sweet spot in terms of what its target audience wants, even if adult non-aficionados will find little of interest other than the starry vocal cast.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Simmons wants the gate removed, allowing for a free flow of traffic that would benefit adjacent property owners who aren’t part of the HOA.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
The market would not sell alcohol, given Estrada wants to use coolers previously used to store alcoholic beverages to expand the store’s dairy selection.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Valencia’s sister-in-law Julia McCormick told NBC4 that his family wants closure.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Si wants to move past that framing.
—Elaine Yu, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Let the clock spring forward all its wants.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 6 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of a set schedule and activities with no wiggle room, retreats will start to cater to your wants and needs.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
To figure out how Syria can best rebuild, its leaders and international supporters must understand the wants and needs of the country’s citizens.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Conversations regarding project details date back to November 2023 as staff and community members shared their wants and needs at public meetings.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
The nonprofit, which formed a year ago under the auspices of the Downtown Alliance, plans a public engagement process to examine key wants and needs downtown and inform a long-term improvement strategy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 What quiet truth wants a little space?
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
October 23 – November 21 What quiet truth wants a little space?
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
John also becomes close to Laura, her husband, Piro, and their teen-age child Tali, who wants to become a jess herself.
—Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Relentlessly fast-paced and filled with hyperkinetic visuals, the sequel hits the sweet spot in terms of what its target audience wants, even if adult non-aficionados will find little of interest other than the starry vocal cast.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Simmons wants the gate removed, allowing for a free flow of traffic that would benefit adjacent property owners who aren’t part of the HOA.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
The market would not sell alcohol, given Estrada wants to use coolers previously used to store alcoholic beverages to expand the store’s dairy selection.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Valencia’s sister-in-law Julia McCormick told NBC4 that his family wants closure.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Si wants to move past that framing.
—Elaine Yu, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
That means 50% of a budget is spent on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings or debt payments.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Let the clock spring forward all its wants.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 6 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of a set schedule and activities with no wiggle room, retreats will start to cater to your wants and needs.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
To figure out how Syria can best rebuild, its leaders and international supporters must understand the wants and needs of the country’s citizens.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Conversations regarding project details date back to November 2023 as staff and community members shared their wants and needs at public meetings.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
The nonprofit, which formed a year ago under the auspices of the Downtown Alliance, plans a public engagement process to examine key wants and needs downtown and inform a long-term improvement strategy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
If your family craves beach time beyond Galveston, these barrier islands deliver.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And for anyone who craves the Charlotte that existed before the craft cocktail boom and the rooftop bar era, this basement-level pub is a gift.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Griffin said the county also needs to be mindful of ensuring access throughout the county to vital services, especially as other facilities continue to age, and consider whether more promotion is needed to inform the public about what the community resource centers offer.—
Mary Ramsey
April 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
From Hollywood, California, to Hollywood, Florida, the wage standard needs nurturing and protecting with whatever tools are available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who wishes to share photos or videos after a storm passes through can join CBS News Detroit's Weather Watcher Network.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, House of Colour offers personal shopping for clients, which can be done inside Surprise Lily Boutique, if the client wishes.—
Bailey Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the team really likes backup center Nick Samac.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Goldman likes Qualcomm’s revenue diversification effort but worries about lost smartphone business from the likes of Apple and others.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To actually take stock of the strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This past week showcased the strengths of carrots and the weaknesses of sticks.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Libra September 23 – October 22 Libra, balance requires substance behind the smile.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The challenge is that manure is already extremely nutrient-dense—often providing far more nitrogen and phosphorus than even a productive garden requires.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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