as in must
formal
something that is needed or wanted
a list of political desiderata
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Recent Examples of desideratum
Diversity isn’t necessarily an ethical desideratum in a collection.
—
New York Times, 28 Sep. 2021
The Trump administration has sought nothing less than a reformulation of U.S. policy on the two-state solution, bringing it in line with Netanyahu’s desiderata
Among Netanyahu’s enablers, however, one partner stands out.
—Aaron David Miller, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2020
Remaining at home is invariably the desideratum for most among the elderly, and this includes the wish to die at home.
—Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020
We marketing teams came to believe we alone could save startups from untimely deaths by achieving the desideratum to end all desiderata: product/market fit.
—Wired, 22 Oct. 2019
Airports supply the greatest desideratum of physical retail: foot traffic.
—Daniel Gross, Slate Magazine, 7 Sep. 2017
Some of the author costs are used to pay reviewers, causing one to question whether the process is always unbiased, as is the desideratum.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2015
New York Times, 28 Sep. 2021
The Trump administration has sought nothing less than a reformulation of U.S. policy on the two-state solution, bringing it in line with Netanyahu’s desiderata
Among Netanyahu’s enablers, however, one partner stands out.
—Aaron David Miller, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2020
Remaining at home is invariably the desideratum for most among the elderly, and this includes the wish to die at home.
—Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020
We marketing teams came to believe we alone could save startups from untimely deaths by achieving the desideratum to end all desiderata: product/market fit.
—Wired, 22 Oct. 2019
Airports supply the greatest desideratum of physical retail: foot traffic.
—Daniel Gross, Slate Magazine, 7 Sep. 2017
Some of the author costs are used to pay reviewers, causing one to question whether the process is always unbiased, as is the desideratum.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desideratum
Noun
-
Up to half of Cloud’s Rest is exposed and rocky—sunscreen, sturdy footwear, and a hat are musts.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Sheet masks are a must for me—they’re part of my wind-down routine at the hotel.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
An amendment that would require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday, despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying last week that Democrats were not opposed to such a requirement.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And for only children—who believe that a sibling would mean the end of loneliness or a reduction in unwanted or smothering attention, an ally with whom to weather the storm—the wish to have one may be equally strong.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
But for the second year in a row, Jeanie’s not around to blow out birthday candles or make a birthday wish.—
Meghan O'Brien,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To reduce costs, researchers from Cornell University have been exploring fuel cells that operate in alkaline conditions instead of acidic ones.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The wounded man was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition early Thursday morning, Police Chief Eddie Garcia said.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desideratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desideratum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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