1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to need
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wish
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the proverb that begins, "for want of a nail, the shoe was lost"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
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4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in failing
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of want
Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
And some activists want the books removed from libraries altogether.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2025
No island would be big enough for the both of them; Howard’s movie, for no want of effort, proves scarcely more accommodating.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
The Cowboys understandably didn’t want to trade in the NFC East.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
And some activists want the books removed from libraries altogether.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Peacock and Benzing emphasized the study will fully take into account the wants and expectations of the region's local governments, its residents and other stakeholders.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2025
No island would be big enough for the both of them; Howard’s movie, for no want of effort, proves scarcely more accommodating.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
With All-Star catcher Will Smith sidelined by a bone bruise in his right hand, Dalton Rushing was handed the chance at regular playing time the top prospect no doubt craved.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The games are one of the few program formats that still bring the broad, simultaneous viewership that Madison Avenue craves — and, as a result, more advertisers are trying to get money down on them, even if they haven’t been known for doing so in the past.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
School officials say the district needs this money to continue important programs, such as all-day kindergarten and free breakfasts for all K-12 students, despite state and federal funding uncertainties.—
Kevin Richert,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Rather than rendering aid or notifying emergency personnel, Sellers told co-workers that a ‘woman fell in the parking lot’ and needed help.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Friends and fans alike flooded the actor’s comment section with birthday wishes.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The last man standing wins a life-changing cash prize and the fulfillment of any one wish their heart desires.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Bernadette woman likes being comfortable, loves to have fun and can make a Bernadette look her own.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s encouragement of Walker was enough to spur him into the race, though Republicans as a whole were hesitant, given Walker’s lack of experience and standing as an unknown quantity among GOP voters.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack shut down the largest refined products pipeline in the United States for several days, creating fuel shortages and demonstrating how OT disruptions cascade through the economy.—
Bob Ackerman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In a decade that some critics believe has a shortage of newness and invention, slop is one of the few frontiers that’s actively being pushed.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Also, unfavorable factors are the extension price tag that can top tens of billions of dollars annually, and eligibility that includes those making 400% the poverty rate.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Why are more seniors falling into poverty?—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the continuity, cohesion and familiarity offered by those who stayed does not prove enough to keep Leeds in the league, the inability to sell efficiently in the summer window will be seen as one of the failings.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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