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
Joseph Hernandez
march 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
In this production, most of the Spanish men are leering, grabbing, demanding predators, so Carmen merely capitalizes on their base desires to survive.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The tax would constrain current residents who might desire to relocate later without incurring the penalty imposed by the outdated rules applicable to home sales.
—Kevin Cole, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Noun
The new desire to see movies how the directors intended also ties in with the rise of interest in wanting to see movies from smaller distributing companies.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
In this production, most of the Spanish men are leering, grabbing, demanding predators, so Carmen merely capitalizes on their base desires to survive.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Convention goers said Wednesday they were drawn to Grapevine out of curiosity — and desire to be part of the conversation.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The tax would constrain current residents who might desire to relocate later without incurring the penalty imposed by the outdated rules applicable to home sales.
—Kevin Cole, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
Series creator Connor Hines, who penned the finale, and director Anthony Hemingway resist the urge to exploit the crash itself (thank God).—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Certainly, some people have a drive to collect, an urge to connoisseurship that seems innate.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let that passion carry you through the busier stretches.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Family comes first, and mom leads the way for the Carusos, and their passion is Chicago's famous signature condiment, giardiniera.—
Edie Kasten,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For both the academy and AEG, which owns and operates the complex, the appeal is in keeping everything in one place — arrivals, ceremony, the Governors Ball and afterparties — rather than spreading events across multiple locations.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The emotional appeal and audience desire for wholesome content contributed to the spread.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Long train rides and other slow travel between places offer exactly the meditative in-between space your nervous system is craving.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
After that, John, craving outside validation, takes Carolyn to a super-secret dinner at their little Indian spot, and promises to re-examine his life to make room for her.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Under California law, prisoners seeking parole may not be penalized for failing to admit wrongdoing, so Kovacich’s claim of innocence was not used against him, Tellman said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What could have been a straightforward suburban critique is instead closer to a rich, deep baroque painting capturing longing, power, and hushed domestic drama.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The trailer opens with Moana longing for more beyond the reef of her home island, Motunui, as her grandmother, Gramma Tala (Rena Owen), shares a story.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But between strutting around like a rock god, Michael presented nuanced and sophisticated looks at lust.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The songs are all about freedom, single motherhood, love and lust — often in the same breath.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dozens flocked to City Hall, wielding signs and voicing pleas for Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, Sacramento City Manager Maraskeshia Smith and other council members to halt construction.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Tiger Woods has entered a plea of not guilty and has waived his arraignment, demanding a trial with a jury.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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