Synonyms of covet

covet 1 of 3

verb (1)

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

coveting

2 of 3

adjective

as in greedy

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

cast a coveting glance at her friend's diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• greedy
• covetous
• eager
• mercenary
• acquisitive
• avaricious
• grasping
• avid
• desirous
• rapacious
• materialistic
• moneygrubbing
• grabby
• devouring
• insatiable
• miserly
• ravenous
• gluttonous
• unquenchable
• hoggish
• piggish
• piggy
• grudging
• commercialistic
• discontented
• unsatisfied
• egocentric
• lickerish
• begrudging
• itchy
• voracious
• discontent
• resentful
• gobbling
• swinish
• malcontent
• egoistic
• egotistic
• self-centered
• self-seeking
• philistine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• handsome
• liberal
• bountiful
• unselfish
• magnanimous
• charitable
• altruistic
• selfless
• bounteous
• controlled
• munificent
• restrained
• unsparing
• nonmaterialistic
• moderate
• temperate
• content
• satisfied
• openhanded
• greathearted
• sated
• freehanded
• openhearted

coveting

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of covet

as in craving

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

• craving
• wanting
• enjoying
• desiring
• loving
• dying (for)
• wishing (for)
• panting (after)
• liking
• lusting (for or after)
• longing (for)
• sighing (for)
• itching (for)
• thirsting (for)
• hankering (for or after)
• pining (for)
• salivating (for)
• yearning (for)
• hungering (for)
• repining (for)
• admiring
• aching (for)
• preferring
• desiderating
• relishing
• jonesing (for)
• setting one's heart on
• fancying
• spoiling (for)
• yenning (for)
• digging
• valuing
• favoring
• adoring
• grooving (on)
• reveling (in)
• delighting (in)
• treasuring
• appreciating
• cherishing
• prizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hating
• despising
• abhorring
• detesting
• loathing
• refusing
• rejecting
• execrating
• declining
• spurning
• abominating

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

Verb

Denver has coveted Waddle, with his elite speed and versatility, for some time. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026

The Bible teaches that lying, stealing, adultery and coveting your neighbor’s property are sins. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

Early in their friendship, the two of them would spend their weekends driving out around the bay, picking furniture out of the garbage, admiring old windows and doors, and coveting the sheds. —Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026

The history of the United States coveting Canadian territory goes back to the earliest days of the country itself. —Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026