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
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
There are more overtly sexy moments in Fennell’s movie — the physical intimacy is ratcheted up significantly from the book — but this scene underlines the Brontë’s themes of desire and repression — and the friction between them — that imprinted on the filmmaker as a teen.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Taste, and season with salt, if desired.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
Trump has said his desire to acquire Greenland is driven by a combination of national security strategy and access to natural resources.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
There are more overtly sexy moments in Fennell’s movie — the physical intimacy is ratcheted up significantly from the book — but this scene underlines the Brontë’s themes of desire and repression — and the friction between them — that imprinted on the filmmaker as a teen.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Spread vegetables on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper or foil if desired).
—Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Taste, and season with salt, if desired.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
Its protein and fat content promote satiety, which can also reduce the urge to reach for sugary, quickly digested snacks that would cause more dramatic fluctuations.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
-
All throughout the film, there are images of terrible things being done to other creatures, as if to express the humans’ futile attempts to tamp down their natural urges.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both juries rejected a defense argument that Alkayyali was under the influence of sudden passion, and would have considered a term of two to 20 years if they were persuaded by the argument.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In its place, the Fire Horse is galloping into view, calling us to approach life with passion and courage.—
Annabel Gat,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lytvyn, the communications advisor, told CNN that Zelensky decided early on to make appeals for help directly to other nations, rather than just their leaders.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Add in its layered history and genuinely warm service, and the appeal becomes clear.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For those craving a more formal dining experience, head to Saltwood.—
Nneka M. Okona,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With the rise in popularity of the bourbon industry over the past couple of decades, consumers crave innovation and authenticity.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brief comment during a lightning round of questions quickly attracted attention and Obama later sought to clarify his remarks with a statement on social media.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Such a ruling allows those wrongfully accused to seek state compensation for time spent in prison and provides official recognition that they were wrongly blamed.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The relentless weight of longing is largely absent from Fennell’s vision.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
While the British singer’s longing vocals and smooth hooks take obvious cues from ’90s and 2000s’ R&B, her bouncy and moody SoCal sound aligns her with the present.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The show captures the frenzy of all-consuming lust and the chaos that arises in the wake of a blazing hot relationship without true depth or knowledge of the other partner.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Keough alone could carry the film, embodying the most peculiar mix of lust and off-kilter desire in her baby-blue thigh high boots.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The prosecution and defense teams settled on the no contest plea in exchange for dropping the murder count.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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