desire 1 of 2

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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

desire

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verb

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

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
Noun
Other programing news will likely come ahead of the fall launch, though Pitaro teased a few other priorities for the company: A desire to cut deals with leagues for regional sports networks, which the company could offer as an upsell, and finding ways to utilize AI in the tech stack. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 Sunderland have negotiated a package that could reach eight figures for a player who has made only 11 senior starts in the Championship and who showed no desire to extend a contract due to expire next summer. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Verb
When detached from the bike, the Convoy can be pushed along hand-trolley-style, with the motor still providing assistance if desired. New Atlas, 21 May 2025 Ghibli’s style was applied to family portraits, historical events including 9/11, and whatever else people desired. Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
  • Cultivate sustained attention on tasks that need continuous mental effort, resisting the urge to multitask or switch topics often.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • But, having again started to write songs, Simon felt an urge to play the album in front of audiences.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Back then, classic Defenders weren’t very common in the U.S., but Marcello had fallen in love with the car as a teenager, and buying one was the continuation of what has become a lifelong passion.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
  • The same passion toward wiping out HIV in Africa prompted governments around the world to provide billions of dollars toward the cause.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The initiative aims to boost Japan Inc.’s appeal to both foreign and domestic investors.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • The importance of this immediate appeal of right provided by the UPEPA to a losing UPEPA movant is thus illustrated.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The age of white-washed, super scant, and industrial spaces are behind us—designers are craving excitement, color, life, stories within interior design.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2025
  • The entire ending of the game was wild, and now people are craving more drama from this series.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • But two men’s wives, one with a child, are still seeking to be reunited through a family reunification program.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Professional tax advice should be sought as the information here is not intended to be, and should not be, relied upon by the reader in making a decision.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • But Sieh is the standout, emitting a complex blend of sardonic acceptance, cynical verbosity and submerged emotional longing.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Finding purpose Both the Futures Lab and Women in Animation sessions showed a clear longing from producers, and filmmakers to discuss their challenges.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The true villain is Herod, who, in his hypocritical mixture of slobbering lust and grandstanding moralism, is a model man of power.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Watch the trailer: Linklater shoots all over Paris on the same locations Godard used, setting up familiar scenes from the movie but showing the freedom and lust for cinema that defined the New Wave and Godard’s assured but revolutionary style.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Although Eleanor initially rejects Nina’s pleas for a profile, the cub reporter’s persistence pays off.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
  • Tapper believes conservatives were proven correct in their harsh and at times tactless assessments of Biden’s condition, which clearly worsened in 2023 after his son Hunter faced the possibility of a prison sentence when a plea deal on tax and gun charges fell apart.
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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