desires 1 of 2

Definition of desiresnext
plural of desire
as in appeals
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

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desires

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of desire

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 desires
Noun
As the spotlight settles on each of them, that person unspools a monologue, a candid account of their origins, their desires and dreams, their galaxy of excuses and explanations. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026 The actual economy is damaged by the money leaving the state to gambling companies, as well as by the time and money lost by Illinoisans that could have served their actual desires instead of their addiction. Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 These desires operate in tension, Brewer told me. Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026 The players who attended this year had desires to be writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, producers, or really just be involved in film in some way. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2026 Their secrets, grudges, and desires haven’ changes one iota. John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026 After all, this show, and Julia May Jonas’s book upon which it is based, is all about dark, unrequited desires and power dynamics as told by an unreliable narrator who largely lives inside her own imaginative head. Meg Walters, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026 Talking candidly about intimacy needs and desires. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026 And the object of all my desires. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces. Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 As for Madigan's fellow nominee, Fanning plays Rachel Kemp, an American actress who desires more serious roles, in Norwegian film Sentimental Value. Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 Anderson's Constance Van Ness, the head of a rich mining family in the frontier town of Angel’s Ridge, desires the silver buried beneath Jasper Hollow, a tract of land partially owned by Headey's headstrong Fiona, a mother to four orphans. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025 Russia desires more strategic territory, while Ukraine has been adamant on security guarantees from Washington and its Western allies to ensure this type of invasion doesn't happen again. Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 Nov. 2025 For now, the Royals have quality starting depth that every team desires. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025 Give whoever replaces Grier carte blanche, complete freedom, a blank slate, to do whatever the person desires with the organization. Omar Kelly october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 Jey has been focused on his singles career, while Jimmy desires a return to their tag team roots. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desires
Noun
  • What follows this admission is a piercing dissection not of the art itself, but of frameworks of looking at Black art and life that go beyond racist tropes disguised as appeals to the primitive, the spontaneous, the corporeal.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Both prior appeals were denied.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Behind the scenes, Breakaway’s success is also propped up by the fact Gen Z craves more in-person experiences, and have opted out of spending as much time on their phones.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • At another corner, there’s the God whose favor Salieri craves, quite unrequitedly.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The City of Blue Island requests that anyone with information about Dan’s disappearance contact the Blue Island Police Department at 708-385-1313.
    Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Someone who requests and receives a mail ballot is not required to use it.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Don't conflate us, Mansour pleas, even as many users, politicians and commentators mix them up regularly.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Cook’s attorney Kedar Ismail waived a formal reading of his client’s indictment and entered not guilty pleas on his behalf.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools.
    Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Antitrust law seeks to prevent monopolies and monopsonies and to stop competitors from joining hands to rig a market.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The legislation seeks to streamline development processes throughout Florida by including a number of new requirements in local governments’ comprehensive development plans.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Most of Edwards’ 16-to-20 footers are late-clock prayers that now have a significantly better chance of being answered.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Midway through Ramadan, Muslims across the United States are striving to maintain the holy month’s traditional mix of prayers and festive spirit under a cloud of worrisome events.
    Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Desires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desires. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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