Synonyms of covet

covet

verb

ˈkə-vət 

as in to crave

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

I've been coveting that sleek sports car in the showroom for some time now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crave
• want
• desire
• enjoy
• love
• like
• pine (for)
• long (for)
• die (for)
• lust (for or after)
• wish (for)
• pant (after)
• repine (for)
• prefer
• hunger (for)
• sigh (for)
• salivate (for)
• itch (for)
• thirst (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• desiderate
• ache (for)
• yen (for)
• jones (for)
• yearn (for)
• admire
• relish
• set one's heart on
• adore
• spoil (for)
• fancy
• groove (on)
• delight (in)
• treasure
• cherish
• appreciate
• favor
• dig
• revel (in)
• value
• prize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• refuse
• reject
• spurn
• abominate
• execrate
• decline

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb covet differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covet are crave, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When is crave a more appropriate choice than covet?

The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When is it sensible to use desire instead of covet?

The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When might want be a better fit than covet?

While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When could wish be used to replace covet?

In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of covet

While Hardy brings the vision and explosiveness MU covets in its feature back, the staff will likely rely on Roberts on passing downs. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025

And as mainstream brands’ showrooms filled up, luxury buyers started to covet high-riding daily drivers of their own — an opportunity that automakers, who smelled profits in the breeze, were all too happy to capitalize on by upfitting and rebadging their existing SUVs for their premium brands. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 17 June 2025

Today, the glory and grit of St. Louis brick has made the material a target that can fetch premium prices, and is coveted by salvagers, brickyards, brazen thieves and, eventually, builders even out of state. —St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

The greatest threat to limited government is leaders who covet power, gain it, and are reluctant to cede it. —Frederic J. Fransen, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025