thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

Definition of thirst

1 a :a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids; also :the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation

b :a desire or need to drink

2 :an ardent desire :craving, longing

a thirst for success

See thirst defined for English-language learners

See thirst defined for kids

Examples of thirst in a Sentence

his thirst for knowledge is evident in his book-filled house
an unquenchable thirst for travel that has led her to the far corners of the globe

Recent Examples of thirst from the Web

Just because John Mayer is a Nice Guy now doesn’t mean his renowned thirst has been quenched.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "John Mayer Takes His Insatiable Thirst to Instagram," 24 Aug. 2017
Eventually, the desire to slake that thirst for knowledge changed the trajectory of his life.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Africa Fire Mission links the brotherhood of firefighters on two continents," 21 Aug. 2017
Several years after being photographed serving as his great aunt's page boy, The Daily Mail discovered that Arthur has his very own Instagram account, filled with thirst traps, chiseled cheekbones, and even a shirtless selfie.

— sophie hirsh, Teen Vogue, "Arthur Chatto, the Queen's Grandnephew, Is the Internet's Newest Obsession," 28 July 2017
The resident was taken to a hospital on April 19 with lightheadedness, blurred vision and increased thirst and urination, the citation said.

— cara rosner, courant.com, "Six Nursing Homes Fined Following Care Lapses," 20 July 2017
The four-hour outings fly by, leaving you with a dozen open Wiki tabs and a thirst for more armchair sleuthing.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
With the 15th Forecastle Festival almost here, vendors are hurriedly preparing to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst this weekend.

— tessa weinberg, The Courier-Journal, "Forecastle Festival food vendors share their secrets," 12 July 2017
A truly rare talent connected to a thirst for truth made her one of a kind.

— elinor j. brecher, miamiherald, "Meg Laughlin, former Tropic writer who gave voice to the vulnerable, dies at 70," 12 July 2017
Nevertheless, the market’s insatiable thirst for petroleum profits has persisted.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump to Prioritize Underwater Oil Drilling Over Protecting the Basis of All Ocean Life," 6 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of thirst

Middle English, from Old English thurst; akin to Old High German durst thirst, Latin torrēre to dry, parch, Old Irish tart dryness, thirst, Greek tersesthai to become dry

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

thirst Synonyms

Synonyms

appetency, appetite, craving, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, jones [slang], letch, longing, lust, passion, pining, desire, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen

Antonyms

apathy, indifference

Related Words

compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal; liking, love, taste, weakness; eagerness, impatience; want, wish; necessity, need, requirement; obsession; acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, covetousness, cupidity, greed, greediness, rapaciousness, rapacity; cacoëthes, mania

Near Antonyms

abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst

intransitive verb

1 :to feel thirsty :suffer thirst

2 :to crave vehemently and urgently

thirsted for revenge

thirsting

after justice

—

thirster

noun

See thirst defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of thirst from the Web

Ever since Derek Jeter hung up his spikes in 2014, baseball has thirsted for a transcendent personality with broader cultural resonance.

— sean gregory, Time, "Aaron Judge Sizes Up As Baseball's Best New Hope," 17 Aug. 2017
Republicans alienated from Trump, and Democrats thirsting for his demise, would do well to ponder the lesson of Truman 1948 as well as Nixon 1974.

— julian e. zelizer, The Atlantic, "What Can Republicans Actually Do About President Trump?," 2 Aug. 2017
July 19, 5 p.m.: Thirst by C.A. Johnson; 8 p.m.: penny candy by Jonathan Norton.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "Will Philly's PlayPenn launch another Tony winner? Come see," 18 July 2017
And for those thirsting for a beer at the ballpark, Marlins Park will satisfy.

— george richards, miamiherald, "Food at Marlins Park earns Miami another All-Star selection," 9 July 2017
The Pentagon is thirsting for a success story amid growing fears about North Korea’s escalating capability.

— robert burns, The Seattle Times, "Hit or miss, missile defense test is a key milestone," 30 May 2017
The Pentagon is thirsting for a success story amid growing fears about North Korea's escalating capability.

— robert burns, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. plans first test of ICBM intercept, with North Korea in mind," 26 May 2017
He's been thirsting for this kind of opportunity since his college days founding student groups decrying the dangers of creeping Islamofacism.

— jay willis, GQ, "The Most Miserable White House Staffers on Donald Trump's Foreign Trip, Ranked," 21 May 2017
For years, the Rockies have suffered through a starting-pitching drought, leaving their bullpen in tatters, position players grumbling and fans thirsting for a drop or two of hope.

— patrick saunders, The Denver Post, "Jeff Hoffman dominates Dodgers early as Rockies hold on for win," 11 May 2017

First Known Use of thirst

before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of thirst

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

- longed for some rest

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

- yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

- always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

- pined for a lost love

hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

- hungered for a business of his own
- thirsted for power

THIRST Defined for English Language Learners

thirst

noun

Definition of thirst for English Language Learners

: an uncomfortable feeling that is caused by the need for something to drink
: a very great need for something to drink
: a strong desire for something

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst for English Language Learners

: to have or feel a strong desire

THIRST Defined for Kids

thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

Definition of thirst for Students

1 :a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat that accompanies a need for liquids

2 :the bodily condition that produces thirst

die of thirst

3 :a strong desire

a thirst for knowledge

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst for Students

thirsted; thirsting

1 :to feel a need for liquids

2 :to have a strong desire

They thirst for freedom.

Medical Dictionary

thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

medical Definition of thirst

:a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids; also :the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation