plural lusts
1
: a strong feeling of sexual desire
He was consumed by lust.
He was motivated more by lust than love. [=more by the desire for sex than by affection]
satisfying their lusts
2
: a strong desire for something
a lust [=craving, desire] for money/adventure
He was driven by a lust for power.
a lust for life [=a strong desire to live a full and rich life]
Lust for chocolate drew her into the candy store.
lusts; lusted; lusting
1
: to have a strong sexual desire for someone
—usually + after
He lusted after the prettiest girl in the school.
—sometimes + forHe had lusted for her for years.
2
: to have a strong desire for something
—usually + after
She's been lusting after [=craving] that job for many months.
—sometimes + forinvestors lusting for profits
—sometimes followed by to + verba general who lusted to command
Cite this Entry
“Lust.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/lust. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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