lust

verb

lusted; lusting; lusts

intransitive verb

: to have an intense desire or need : crave

specifically : to have a sexual urge

Synonyms of lust

• crave
• pine (for)
• want
• pant (after)
• long (for)
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• repine (for)
• wish (for)
• hunger (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• yen (for)
• itch (for)
• salivate (for)
• jones (for)

Examples of lust in a Sentence

I'm lusting after that new SUV

Recent Examples on the Web

The war was particularly popular among white southerners who lusted for new territory. —Tyler Green, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

And then there’s Vladimir (yes, Vladimir) Nabokov’s Lolita, which sees an unnamed narrator lusting after a child. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026

Lace-y Things Nothing says love and lust quite like lace, right? —Eva Thomas, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

The man lusting for power is always active, the center of the show, relentless, vigilant, distrustful, restless when anything stands in his way. —David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lust

• lust for life

Rhymes for lust

• bused
• bust
• crust
• cussed
• dust
• fussed
• fust
• gust
• just
• maist
• mussed
• must

Kids Definition

lust

1 of 2 noun

ˈləst 

1

: sexual desire especially if strong or uncontrolled

2

: a strong longing : craving

lust

2 of 2 verb

: to have a strong desire : crave

especially : to have a strong sexual desire