crave

verb

\ ˈkrāv

craved; craving

Definition of crave

transitive verb

1 : to ask for earnestly : beg, demand crave a pardon for neglect

2a : to want greatly : need craves drugs craves attention

b : to yearn for crave a vanished youth

intransitive verb

: to have a strong or inward desire craves after affection

Other Words from crave Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about crave

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Choose the Right Synonym for crave

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for. desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. desires to start a new life wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. wishes for permanent world peace want specifically suggests a felt need or lack. wants to have a family crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need. craves sweets covet implies strong envious desire. covets his rise to fame

Examples of crave in a Sentence

Like many celebrities, he craves attention. I was craving french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is true for both men’s and women’s clothing, but some women seem to crave a sense of what might be called Parisian poise that, particularly in this comfort-minded moment of men’s fashion, doesn’t cross the gender divide. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "Why Women Crave ‘French Style,’ and Men Want International Style," 22 Jan. 2019 In this climate, young pop fans crave authenticity and honesty. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With spectacles at Summerfest, Halsey and Logic aspire for a better world," 30 June 2018 Still, many of us crave that sugary sweetness, so going cold turkey might not be an option. — Molly Kimball, NOLA.com, "Cutting back on sugar? A guide to sweetener choices," 8 May 2018 Anything sparkly, impractical, and attention-grabbing is exactly what a Leo craves! — Alice Bell, Vogue, "The Best Gifts for Every Astrological Sign on Your List," 26 Nov. 2018 Listen to what your body and mind are craving this time of year. — Marissa Miller, Teen Vogue, "How To Celebrate The Holidays Away From Home," 22 Nov. 2018 In the end, such fare is what people truly crave on the holiday, Ms. Levin said. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Dessert Chefs Reinterpret Pie Traditions, Piece by Piece," 20 Nov. 2018 Already, Bindlestiff has what so many other theaters in the region crave: a diverse and young audience. — Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Geek Show’ the latest prong in Bindlestiff’s community building," 13 Apr. 2018 On the surface, these metal manifestos deliver what Priest fans crave -- impassioned vocals, soaring guitars, thundering rhythms -- but when one delves deeper, the lyrics speak to how Halford views the state of the world. — Bryan Reesman, Billboard, "Judas Priest Talk Upcoming Album 'Firepower' and How the Band Is Like 'Star Wars': 'We're Always Battling Against Evil'," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.