Synonyms of desire

desire 1 of 2

noun

1

as in urge

a strong wish for something

a desire for adventure and excitement prompted him to travel to Africa

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urge
• longing
• craving
• thirst
• hunger
• passion
• appetite
• yearning
• lust
• wish
• taste
• compulsion
• drive
• itch
• need
• love
• zeal
• hankering
• yen
• thirstiness
• appetency
• impulse
• pining
• eagerness
• jones
• requirement
• will
• liking
• impatience
• necessity
• impulsion
• letch
• want
• weakness
• obsession
• greed
• avarice
• greediness
• cupidity
• acquisitiveness
• rapacity
• covetousness
• avidity
• mania
• avariciousness
• rapaciousness
• cacoëthes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hatred
• disgust
• dislike
• distaste
• nausea
• revulsion
• repulsion
• loathing
• aversion
• repugnance
• disinclination
• abhorrence
• allergy
• abomination
• indifference
• disfavor
• apathy
• averseness
• disliking
• unconcern
• nonchalance
• insouciance

2

as in passion

sexual appetite

ads for drugs that increase desire

Synonyms & Similar Words

• passion
• lust
• lustfulness
• eroticism
• itch
• concupiscence
• horniness
• salaciousness
• hots
• letch
• libido
• lech
• lustihood
• libidinousness
• heat
• ardor
• rut
• hypersexuality
• erotomania
• nymphomania
• lechery
• satyriasis
• lecherousness
• venery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abstinence
• chastity
• celibacy
• frigidity
• frigidness

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

• appeal
• plea
• prayer
• petition
• cry
• demand
• pleading
• suit
• solicitation
• application
• entreaty
• supplication
• call
• insistence
• suppliance
• adjuration
• conjuration
• requisition
• claim

desire

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈzī(-ə)r 

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

• crave
• want
• enjoy
• covet
• love
• wish (for)
• long (for)
• itch (for)
• pine (for)
• like
• die (for)
• lust (for or after)
• thirst (for)
• salivate (for)
• prefer
• hunger (for)
• sigh (for)
• yearn (for)
• pant (after)
• repine (for)
• yen (for)
• desiderate
• jones (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• ache (for)
• relish
• admire
• set one's heart on
• spoil (for)
• delight (in)
• fancy
• groove (on)
• adore
• revel (in)
• appreciate
• value
• favor
• treasure
• dig
• cherish
• prize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• refuse
• reject
• decline
• abominate
• spurn
• execrate

2

as in to seek

to make a request for

the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seek
• request
• quest
• call (for)
• urge
• require
• sue (for)
• demand
• speak (for)
• plead (for)
• ask (for)
• wish (for)
• apply (for)
• solicit
• bespeak
• invite
• claim
• beg (for)
• invoke
• insist (on)
• importune
• exact
• press (for)
• clamor (for)
• enjoin
• petition (for)
• requisition

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

Recent Examples of desire

Noun

Shah becomes a viral sensation, but the show itself takes a satirical look at an actor who blows a life-changing audition while exploring themes of family, community, mental health, and Shah’s desire to succeed. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

With both Ed and the supporting characters, there was a desire to emphasize their individual reactions in distinctive ways. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Drizzle with remaining chili crisp solids and/or additional chili crisp, if desired. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Store Craft Supplies Keep beads, paint brushes, and other craft supplies organized by storing them in their own upcycled candle jars with a small label if desired. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026