1
as in urge
a strong wish for something
a desire for adventure and excitement prompted him to travel to Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passion
sexual appetite
ads for drugs that increase desire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in appeal
an earnest request
at the delegate's desire, the voice vote on the controversial measure was followed by an actual roll call
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to seek
to make a request for
the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desire
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Near the end of our conversation, Smith brought up her desire, invoked early in her memoir, to write something in which everyone would find a piece of themselves.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Romy Gill, Saveur, 22 Oct. 2025
Leave the whiskey out for a non-alcoholic version and add cloves, ginger, and other aromatics as desired.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
The picture that emerges over five episodes is of a director driven by unusual ideologies and desires.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Near the end of our conversation, Smith brought up her desire, invoked early in her memoir, to write something in which everyone would find a piece of themselves.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Serve hot with tamarind chutney if desired.
—Romy Gill, Saveur, 22 Oct. 2025
Leave the whiskey out for a non-alcoholic version and add cloves, ginger, and other aromatics as desired.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
With a fresh sourdough breadcrumb topping, this creamy sweet potato side satisfies stuffing urges, mingling nicely with roast poultry and other autumnal sides, while channeling that classic casserole flavor.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In such cases, solidarity and compassion themselves might seem like luxuries next to the all-conquering, primally selfish urge to save your own skin.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As Mars and Neptune harmonize, passion inspires a leap of faith!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
As an aspiring engineer, Nathan's passion for math and science shines brightly.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Owing to its appeal and acclaim, Pinjar was translated into eight other Indian and foreign languages, including English.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
However, for executives under pressure to boost productivity at lower costs—and especially for those with a penchant for cutting—the appeal of flattening the hierarchy is obvious.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While some zodiac signs crave comfort, others chase the thrill (and the extra sugar), but at the end of the day, there’s no escaping the seasonal indulgence.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Fit for those who crave a Halloween adrenaline rush.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Long a linchpin of oil and gas supply, the Kingdom now seeks to be just as dominant in renewables — from solar and wind to green hydrogen.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Teller took to heart the classic Greek playwright Aristophanes’ myth of love — that humans were born as a fusion of two bodies and later separated as punishment from the gods, only to spend their lives looking — and longing — for their other half.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Here, Farrell’s deadpan becomes a vessel not of submerged romantic longing, but of a mixture of guilt, grief, indecision, and rage.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Louise Hémon The jury would also like to acknowledge a director whose film transported us into an extreme landscape, and created an unsettling atmosphere that kept us contemplating the nature of lust, education, and violence.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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The story's become one of most iconic tales of the 20th century, one filled to the brim with glorious weirdness, corruption, blood, lust and plenty of song and dance.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The defendant had initially been charged with two counts of conspiring to create and distribute animal crush videos, but prosecutors agreed to reduce that to just one count in exchange for a guilty plea from Morelli.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
French prosecutor Laure Beccuau made a plea Wednesday to whoever has the jewels.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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