Definition of athirstnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word athirst distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of athirst are anxious, avid, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When might anxious be a better fit than athirst?

The synonyms anxious and athirst are sometimes interchangeable, but anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

How do avid and eager relate to one another, in the sense of athirst?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

In what contexts can eager take the place of athirst?

The meanings of eager and athirst largely overlap; however, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When would keen be a good substitute for athirst?

In some situations, the words keen and athirst are roughly equivalent. However, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for athirst
Adjective
  • While the online retailer is serving up some excellent K-beauty deals—up to 40% off markdowns—our beauty editors are most excited about Medicube deals.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026
  • While the Athletics hosted the Angels in Sacramento, their Single-A affiliate minor league team, Stockton Ports, hosted lots of dads who were excited to take their kids, young and grown, out to the ball game.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Morse, a progressive Republican from Wisconsin and an avid Cold Warrior, had been elected to the Senate from Oregon but left the Republican Party in part because of its failure to denounce Joseph McCarthy and, in 1955, became a Democrat.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • Hiking in particular requires much less guiding and support than cycling and many avid hikers are totally confident on their own.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • But it's been on the court where Hargitay has proved to be one of Brunson's most enthusiastic supporters, frequently attending Knicks games at Madison Square Garden.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Here’s help The Tartan Army took over Miami Scottish fans are enthusiastic, rambunctious, loud and — more than anything — organized.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Brown, though, is in the prime of his career and no doubt eager to prove the Celtics wrong for trading him after a decade in Boston.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Up in arms about the way the government has been controlling the food supply, the common folk are eager to test their newfound democratic power.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • But Ecuador, which had only 1 point entering the match, was hungry for a big win.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • All the young guys are really hungry.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Though fans are anxious to see Andrade return to more events, her job in Rio is done.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Homeless, his body torn, Odysseus needs to get back to her and Telemachus, his anxious son, and to clean up the mess.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The five-time champion may have charmed the world over the decades, but now finds itself in a bit of a dry spell, thirsty for a sixth victory.
    Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • The rich body lotion combines cocoa butter and shea butter to soften and smooth rough, thirsty skin, while squalane replenishes the skin barrier and locks in moisture.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Even the most ardent defenders of this basics-first approach acknowledge that some buildings will never be habitable without active cooling.
    Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
  • Kyiv and its allies may be feeling pretty good about the present state of the war with Russia, but an intense historical feud has reignited, threatening relations between Ukraine and one of its most ardent backers.
    Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Athirst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athirst. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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