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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of desire
Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 7 Sep. 2025
One is the desire to get things done to keep the government open.
—ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
If operation of the nuclear system is desired beyond 20 years, a cartridge replacement can be performed.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
That tension—the desire to be recognized and the discomfort in handing out compliments—was brought to life in a now-famous social experiment.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 7 Sep. 2025
One is the desire to get things done to keep the government open.
—ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
But one area that has left plenty to be desired is Arsenal’s difficulties in selling players, especially when compared to Liverpool and Chelsea.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
If operation of the nuclear system is desired beyond 20 years, a cartridge replacement can be performed.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
The swim platform is a mere few steps away, should the urge for a swim strike.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Harry taught me the Code to keep me from getting caught, to control my urges, but my urges are evolving.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her passion spread more during the pandemic when some things were hard to get so Quigley began growing her own lettuce.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
To wit, Andrea Tarella has succeeded in transforming his passion for drawing into a profession, working with brands ranging from Prada and Gucci to Valentino.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The infectious energy and Justin Bieber-style appeal of 25-year-old country hitmaker Bailey Zimmerman was not reflected in the CMA nominations.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The government subsequently dropped its appeal of the magistrate judge’s decision to release Bryant pending his trial, according to a notice on the docket Tuesday evening.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With All-Star catcher Will Smith sidelined by a bone bruise in his right hand, Dalton Rushing was handed the chance at regular playing time the top prospect no doubt craved.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The games are one of the few program formats that still bring the broad, simultaneous viewership that Madison Avenue craves — and, as a result, more advertisers are trying to get money down on them, even if they haven’t been known for doing so in the past.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many had anticipated Sand would seek the governorship, launching his bid for the seat almost exactly one month after Reynolds announced her retirement.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Emilia Pérez Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez follows the titular Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón), who seeks a fresh start — and a new identity as a woman — with the help of a lawyer (Zoe Saldaña, in her Oscar-winning role).—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Your fear of being alone is one of many symptoms of your longing for connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Jackman keeps that inheritance intact, similarly flipping the romantic tale script by beginning not with flirtation or longing, but with a wedding.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Typically, at least two women appeared, generously endowed and in various states of undress, posed between sheets and slips of lust and terror.—
Trish Bendix
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
-
However, there’s nothing funny about trampling — in the lust for partisan political power — the quaintly democratic notion that congressional districts should fairly represent the characteristics and values of their constituents.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Many of Joaquin's accusers decried his state-level plea deal with the California Attorney General's Office as too lenient.—
Luc Cohen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Elias Rodriguez, who chanted pro-Palestine slogans as he was arrested, was charged with their murder and has entered a not guilty plea.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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