1
as in craves
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 needs
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 wishes
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in likes
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lacks
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weaknesses
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wants
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2026
This model is for everyone who wants to know both what is likely to happen in an upcoming soccer match, but also why.
—Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Gavin theorizes that maybe everything is a little too nice, a little too boring, and Kenny wants some more passion in his relationship.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Even still, Xi’s visit now, and his talk of deepening ties across trade, science and technology, is a sign that Beijing wants to reassert its position as Pyongyang’s primary partner.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
For example, Gonzales wants to abolish the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Someone who is not feeling well, or wants information on public health, should call the Department of Public Health at 626-430-9821.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Adraee wants his videos to go viral, leaning on the casual nature of social media to get his message across.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
That’s not what Bergh wants to show.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
The price simply reflects the building’s capacity for satisfying human wants—with the latter as well as the former physical facts about the world.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The fact that those dreary assessments have very little to do with the actual wants and needs of the vast majority of Californians — not to mention the state’s history of electing mostly dull and drab governors — should give their authors pause.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
But that conversation can’t be about your wants.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
The petition states that Nick Reiner still wants Jackson to represent him, and that Jackson is still willing to do so if funds can be obtained.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2026
This model is for everyone who wants to know both what is likely to happen in an upcoming soccer match, but also why.
—Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Gavin theorizes that maybe everything is a little too nice, a little too boring, and Kenny wants some more passion in his relationship.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Even still, Xi’s visit now, and his talk of deepening ties across trade, science and technology, is a sign that Beijing wants to reassert its position as Pyongyang’s primary partner.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
For example, Gonzales wants to abolish the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Someone who is not feeling well, or wants information on public health, should call the Department of Public Health at 626-430-9821.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Adraee wants his videos to go viral, leaning on the casual nature of social media to get his message across.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
That’s not what Bergh wants to show.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Noun
Their thinly sketched roles only underscore the welcome presence of Nate’s three daughters, who — while individualized with distinct wants and needs — maintain a feminine alliance that gives the story its heart.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
The price simply reflects the building’s capacity for satisfying human wants—with the latter as well as the former physical facts about the world.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The fact that those dreary assessments have very little to do with the actual wants and needs of the vast majority of Californians — not to mention the state’s history of electing mostly dull and drab governors — should give their authors pause.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
But that conversation can’t be about your wants.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
Yet their invisible presence was a reminder that Hollywood still craves, and needs, Cannes glamour, and vice-versa.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
27 May 2026
-
But the thing one craves in good fiction is the eye-widening prompt to see things differently.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
But every champion needs a little bit of luck.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
-
Every traveler needs at least one sandal that can handle weddings, nice dinners, and those vacation moments when sneakers just won't cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
According to sources, Charles wishes to leave her the Keppel Tiara, a diamond-and-ruby piece valued at around $44,000, which originally belonged to Alice Keppel, Camilla’s great-great-grandmother.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 June 2026
-
Ned wishes to reveal Joffrey’s illegitimacy, but is instead betrayed by Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), imprisoned by Cersei, and beheaded in a public execution on Joffrey's orders.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Whether your dad travels often or just likes to listen to music in his own world, these wireless headphones make for a terrific Father’s Day gift.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
After wrapping cucumbers, Trimble likes to store them in a produce keeper placed in her refrigerator's crisper drawer.—
Susan Hall Mahon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
-
The Drive The turbo engine gives it the push the standard engine lacks, especially when merging, climbing grades or passing.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than relying solely on manual workflows, modern platforms use automation to systematically explore potential attack paths, test common exploitation techniques, and identify reachable weaknesses across complex environments.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The Tuesday order also comes after Anthropic captivated government officials and Wall Street earlier this year by announcing Claude Mythos Preview, a model that excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In Cancer, Venus desires emotional safety, loyalty and genuine intimacy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
-
On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The catch is that all of this requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, specifically an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
In fact, keeping denim looking its best requires not washing them very often at all.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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