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
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After all, Taurus is fixed and deeply rooted in its values and desire for stability.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Players could then unlock the opportunity to use those factories to produce and trade bespoke burgers or bicycles, for instance, but the limited design options available left a lot to be desired, especially at the start.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
The active search for conflict is rooted in Jeglertz’s desire to improve himself and those around him.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After all, Taurus is fixed and deeply rooted in its values and desire for stability.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Verb
Among the eight other non-playoff teams, only the Falcons, Dolphins and Colts might hypothetically desire a quarterback.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Players could then unlock the opportunity to use those factories to produce and trade bespoke burgers or bicycles, for instance, but the limited design options available left a lot to be desired, especially at the start.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
For starters, a handful of clubs with needs at the most important position on the field — that’d be quarterback — resisted the urge to reach in a down year for the position, with most waiting until the later rounds to take a flier on a likely backup.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If a user who is interacting with that AI-bot starts to express any words or feelings that even remotely reflect an urge to harm themselves or others, the bot should alert local authorities of the potential risk.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Edmondson wears top hats, but his real passion is for period technology.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
On the walls hang works by Andy Warhol, reflecting his long-standing passion as an art collector.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Beyond the affable urgency of his demeanor, there are other reasons for Attenborough’s unfailing appeal.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
The court is considering an appeal of a lower-court judge’s ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated procedural requirements.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
This mix will satisfy that sweet and salty combo that everyone craves.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
Plainly, this is the trophy, and moment, supporters crave.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Max Allegri sought refuge in the dug-out at the Mapei Stadium.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Coming from a working-class family of Mexican immigrants and having worked many years in services jobs around the South Bay, the 36-year-old wanted his art to reflect that longing for a fair treatment of workers, especially immigrants.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Touching on both, this memoir beautifully conveys the haunting presence of an estranged relative and the blurry line between longing and reluctance toward reconnection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Personals like this one may feel like a relic—Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji, New York’s mayor and his wife, met on Hinge, after all—but love and lust have been satisfied by column inches since the 1800s.—
Zara Meerza,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
-
Airlines are doubling down on premium cabins as more travelers than ever are willing to spend extra to fly in comfort, and the lust for luxury doesn’t stop at the boarding door.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The coastal Georgia man arrested in 2018 and accused of torturing, killing and burying his two teenage children in the backyard of the family’s mobile home will spend the rest of his life behind bars after reaching a plea deal.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Ashley Hernandez-DeJesus took a plea deal in May 2025, pleading guilty to a single count of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of risk of injury to a minor, according to court records.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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