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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

desire

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb desire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of desire are covet, crave, want, and wish. While all these words 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

Where would covet be a reasonable alternative to desire?

While the synonyms covet and desire are close in meaning, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When might crave be a better fit than desire?

In some situations, the words crave and desire are roughly equivalent. However, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When could want be used to replace desire?

The synonyms want and desire are sometimes interchangeable, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When is it sensible to use wish instead of desire?

The meanings of wish and desire largely overlap; however, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desire
Noun
Yet all share an actionable quality and are written for busy individuals with limited free time but a strong desire to grow their leadership style. Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Our public policy should reflect the stark reality that China is willing to sabotage America to further its desire for world supremacy. Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
Serve topped with more cheese (parmesan or mascarpone or both), poppy seeds and parsley, if desired. Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 29 Apr. 2025 Searching and desiring power aren’t always in sync, right? Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
  • Parents can resist the urge to overparent by leaning on curiosity, patience, and trust.
    Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Some birds can take up to two weeks to collect enough materials to satisfy their nesting urge.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • He’s evolved his passion as a collector into a career, previously providing sports card content and market analysis for companies like Sports Card Investor and Goldin Auctions.
    Tyler Holzhammer, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • The thrill of the race is the overall passion of the Derby, of course.
    Javier Zarracina, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • His appeal to have his police protection reexamined was dismissed on May 2 by Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos and two other judges.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Blah blah blah, some appeal—and her husband is super rich and well connected with lawyers.
    Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • In some cases, strongmen crave popular support, so the popular will can sustains autocratic stability.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025
  • If the Mom in your life is craving a nap or some solo time, encourage it!
    Laura Broadwell, Parents, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The administration is also seeking relief from having to file daily updates on its progress.
    Ben Finley, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In all four cases, Lilly is seeking to stop the sites from marketing or selling tirzepatide.
    Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Renaissance’s old love language — the naughty puns, the sighs of longing and strategies of seduction, the paeans to the beauty of beloveds masked by fanciful Greek and Latin names — had grown obsolete long before Millay’s time.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • His films, deeply rooted in Kerala’s cultural ethos yet universally resonant, remain timeless explorations of human resilience and longing.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Eventually, Frank wants to be on the receiving end of his own unquenchable lust, and perhaps Rick wants something similar—to be on the receiving end of his own insatiable rage, and experience the bliss of death.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Read more: About That Surprise Cameo in the The White Lotus Season 3 Premiere Season 2 focused on infidelity Season 2 centered on lust, and the pairings were predictably toxic.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Federal prosecutors also appeared to reveal today that Combs had rejected an apparent plea deal.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Aguirre reportedly distributed pills containing fentanyl to two more minors later that month, and one of them overdosed and survived, the plea agreement said.
    Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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