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

Relevance

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
These movies have the extraordinary merit of putting the passions of love and the obstacles to relationships front and center, balancing personal desires and social obligations on an equal footing, and thereby lending bourgeois life the grandeur of tragedy. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026 No matter what year you were born in, the year of the Fire Horse is a time to speak up about your desires, be courageous in sharing your love, and take calculated risks. Annabel Gat, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026 Lust is about Lilian, a parole officer whose life is governed by clinical precision, with her body, emotions, and desires held under strict control. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 Such desires can persist even after the reward itself ceases to be pleasurable. Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026 But Metrobloks' data center desires have been met with opposition at every corner since the company introduced the blueprint back in September. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026 Heathcliff is an object of desire and Fennell’s desires cannot extend beyond her worldview, and clearly, that world is very white. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026 A little over a year later, Trey has officially honored those desires. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026 Robbie plays her as someone dazzled by the consequences of her own desires. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 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
  • Lytvyn, the communications advisor, told CNN that Zelensky decided early on to make appeals for help directly to other nations, rather than just their leaders.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Unless either side appeals, the decision will head to the state Supreme Court for approval.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Oliver counsels Evan that Bree is very frightened and craves stability.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Trump, who clearly craves approval, could have been the sort of president people actually want to name buildings after, instead of the kind who has to name them after himself.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Technically, a local station only has to provide comparable time if a rival candidate requests it.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • However, Assistant City Manager Duffy said that the state requests that the city instead revisit the tax and issues a separate vote, but said that staff could make a note to come back to the discussion once the tournament ends on July 19.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In exchange for his no contest pleas to the three felonies, prosecutors dropped six other related criminal charges against him.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Despite Boarman’s pleas to regulators to do more, the agency would ultimately dismiss its earlier findings pointing to oil and gas pollution and close the couple’s case, leaving basic questions about the origins of the problem unanswered.
    Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The two Cabo Blanco rooms on the upper level are accessed by a flatter path, and ideal for anyone who wants less of a journey getting back to their room.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Caroline Heldman, co-founder of Stand With Survivors, said the coalition wants the LA 28 board to know that leadership carries consequences.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Campillo and other critics call that shift a bait-and-switch, and Campillo’s proposal seeks to prevent a repeat by requiring any ballot measure that could create a new fee — or raise an existing one — to undergo a comprehensive analysis long before voters weigh in.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The lawsuit also seeks permission to appoint outside counsel selected by the Auditor’s Office to Special Assistant Attorney General to represent them — something Attorney General Andrea Campbell says DiZoglio does not have the authority to do.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Please continue to keep James’s wife and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
  • My thoughts and prayers go out to his 6 kids, his wife and family!
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desires. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on desires

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!