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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia publicized her bid for Council president, thrusting the typical backroom negotiations into the public eye while citing a desire to disrupt a process that has become exclusive and turned the job into an appointment.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Meta is working to make that desire a reality.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
You'd be forgiven for being a little sick of A Christmas Story, Bob Clark's beloved tale about 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and the Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle he so fiercely desires.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia publicized her bid for Council president, thrusting the typical backroom negotiations into the public eye while citing a desire to disrupt a process that has become exclusive and turned the job into an appointment.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
You’re valued and desired, Libra.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Meta is working to make that desire a reality.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
The sudden sting, the constant urge to run to the bathroom and the interruptions to work or intimacy can feel both embarrassing and unsettling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Vande Kolk could empathize with Ryan’s urge to escape his life.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Eventually, his parents surrendered to his passion for figure skating.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Collegial car vibes For many of the program’s students, the schooling offers a chance to professionalize their passion.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Without question, Bardot expanded the appeal of international films from cinephiles and college students.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The appeal of Charli’s account was that her reviews were funny, yes, and a glimpse into her culture diet in relation to her own work.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sacramento State’s 6-foot-11, 270-pound senior craves the opportunity to devour defenders in the lane with post moves, or a pass to an open shooter after a double-team, or to thunder-dunk on the run as one regal finisher.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For the wine lover craving a Napa experience without Napa’s price tag or crowds, Lodi offers the perfect alternative.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But in today’s world of digital creators, those seeking fame face competition in a way Khan’s generation never could have imagined.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Blending Sufi classics, absurdist dreams, careful mathematical calculations and lyrical narratives, Ismailov invents an ingenious transnational poetics of love and longing for the digital age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The documentary explores that moment as both a turning point in the investigation and a look at Wuornos’ history of abuse and abandonment — and the longing for connection that runs through her story.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These roles required an adult grasp of lust and jealousy and nihilism.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Ruppe took a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired in the death.—
Julia Coin
January 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In 2018, Luchin was charged with robbing a bank in Orinda and later sentenced to a year in jail through a plea deal.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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