lust

noun

\ ˈləst

Definition of lust

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 obsolete

a : pleasure, delight

b : personal inclination : wish

2 : usually intense or unbridled sexual desire : lasciviousness He was motivated more by lust than by love.

3a : an intense longing : craving a lust to succeed

b : enthusiasm, eagerness admired his lust for life

lust

verb

lusted; lusting; lusts

Definition of lust (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to have an intense desire or need : crave specifically : to have a sexual urge

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about lust

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Examples of lust in a Sentence

Noun

He was consumed by lust. He was driven by a lust for power. Lust for chocolate drew her into the candy store.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

There are only two circles left: lust and violence. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "American Horror Story Season 9: Everything We Know So Far," 3 Apr. 2019 Making matters worse is the general indifference of the king's son Hal (Hamish Linklater), the future Henry V, whose days are spent in taverns amongst lowlifes like Falstaff, an obese old drunk with an intoxicating lust for life. — Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Henry IV': Theater Review," 9 June 2018 Apocalypse could easily represent violence (there was so much carnage last season), which means season nine might center on lust. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "American Horror Story Season 9: Everything We Know So Far," 3 Apr. 2019 Other lust-worthy things: a matte black porcelain raven from Nymphenburg, Fleur du Mal lace veils, Venom + Cure pill boxes, Olivier Bernoux fans, Black n’ Burnt Barley chocolate. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Noir at Bergdorf Goodman Is the Perfect Showcase for the Power of Black," 28 Aug. 2018 Kylie Jenner's makeup routine is a lot of things: OTT, filled with lust-worthy products, and intense, to name a few. — Zoe Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Manny MUA Recreates Kylie Jenner’s Vogue Makeup Routine Tutorial," 9 July 2018 But the art which resists the slow sap of a chronic disease—which repairs frames enervated by lust, swollen by gluttony, or inflamed by wine . . — Chris Pope, WSJ, "‘More Than Medicine’ Review: An Ounce of Prevention," 17 Mar. 2019 Vogue spoke with McInerney by phone from Minneapolis about changing the conversation around grief, lust after loss, and how Girl, Wash Your Face might not be the best guide to life. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "In No Happy Endings, Nora McInerny Is in Love With Both of Her Husbands," 26 Mar. 2019 With her many media appearances and her vow to spill the beans on the lust affair, Stormy has become a one-name wonder. — Ana Veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "Dysfunction is the name of the game in Washington, D.C. | Miami Herald," 16 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Starting at $400—half the original asking price of the Pixel 3—the Pixel 3a (and the 6-inch Pixel 3a XL starting at $480) is an affordable phone worth lusting over. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "Google Finally Makes a Phone for the Rest of Us," 7 May 2019 As a lesbian myself, there is much to lust after in Gentleman Jack. — Jill Gutowitz, Glamour, "Gentleman Jack Is a Period Drama I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life to See," 22 Apr. 2019 Particularly worth lusting after this year are selections from Rizzoli, Vendome, Abrams, and Flammarion examining the lavish creations of several distinguished interior designers. — Marley Marius, Vogue, "8 of the Most Swoon-Worthy Interior Design Books Arriving This Fall," 22 Aug. 2018 Been lusting over the new Jumbo Blush Compact in Nars' fan-favorite Orgasm shade? — Alexis Rhiannon, Allure, "Sephora’s Early Access Event Is Letting VIB Rouge Members Snag Seriously Exciting New Products," 20 Mar. 2019 While the outfit was fairly understated, Kate also wore a very cool pair of boots which Twitter is lusting hard over. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Chose Skinny Jeans and Cool Chloé Boots for Her First 2019 Royal Engagement," 15 Jan. 2019 Paris Couture Week always offers an array of swoon-worthy gowns to lust over. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Glow-in-the-Dark Heels Are Here to Make Your Childhood Dreams Come True," 22 Jan. 2019 From Ronnie's sequin dress to Josie's sparkly two-piece, there were a whole lot of wardrobe choices worth lusting after at the big event. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Including Jughead's dark suit, which may be hiding a sinister message.," 26 Oct. 2018 Her mission was to capture the scent of a diamond, that deeply lusted-after — and utterly fragrance-free — rock. — Cotton Codinha, Allure, "Mathilde Laurent Used All of Her Senses to Create a Scent That Smells Like Diamonds," 2 Oct. 2018

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