Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

crave

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of crave

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
  • craves ice cream at all hours of the day
Synonyms of crave

ache (for), covet, desiderate, desire, die (for), hanker (for or after), hunger (for), itch (for), jones (for) [slang], long (for), lust (for or after), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), salivate (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), want, wish (for), yearn (for), yen (for)
Words Related to crave

spoil (for)

adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, love, relish, revel (in)

favor, prefer

admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
Phrases Synonymous with crave

set one's heart on
Near Antonyms of crave

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

decline, refuse, reject, spurn

Synonym Discussion of crave

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for. desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.
    • desires to start a new life
wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.
    • wishes for permanent world peace
want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.
    • wants to have a family
crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.
    • craves sweets
covet implies strong envious desire.
    • covets his rise to fame

Learn More about crave

  1. See words that rhyme with crave Dictionary: Definition of crave Spanish Central: Translation of crave Nglish: Translation of crave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crave for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

teetotaler

someone who never drinks alcohol

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games