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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desire
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
His experience with Cubs fans also factored into his desire to stay with the organization long term.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
Muted, perhaps, in the noise over the Proctor pick was the desire to get Willis help.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
His experience with Cubs fans also factored into his desire to stay with the organization long term.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Serve with steamed white rice if desired.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 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
-
The National Conflict Resolution Center has hosted this event for 38 years now, to recognize individuals and organizations working with passion and purpose toward a better future for all Americans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Ducks fans expected the postseason and embraced it with a passion that rocked Honda Center during 12 playoff trips in a 15-season span, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and the 2007 championship.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The music that we were inspired by at that time and looking to as luminaries never had a broad appeal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Mouhamadou Fall, one of 12 siblings in a Parisian family, is candid about the appeal.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Ravens went into this draft with obvious needs — interior offensive linemen, pass-catching targets and edge rusher being the most glaring — but what DeCosta craved most of all was a return to the team’s hard-nosed roots.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The nontraditional scoring method being used at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic has created the sort of turmoil on the leaderboard that the organizers craved to set it apart.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Taft was seeking its eighth City title and first since winning Division II in 2019.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Department of Education couldn’t be reached for comment despite a request seeking information about how the new legislation would be enforced.—
Megan Vaz,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 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
-
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
-
Typically, the former goaltender Hrudey is one of the sport’s more levelheaded commentators, not a lust-for-violence type.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
27 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 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
