1
as in passion
intense sexual desire
he was overcome with lust when he saw the images
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desire
a strong wish for something
the belief that most politicians have a lust for power
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thirst
urgent desire or interest
vacation tours for people with a lust for adventure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lustfulness
sexual appetite
a no-strings-attached relationship in which both parties were there merely for the satisfaction of their lust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to mate
Related 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 lust
Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Glinda also just might have a wedding on the horizon to Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, despite him blatantly lusting after Elphaba.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
This is consciousness-raising comedy about divinity, lust and landscaping that is also a beautiful balanced human drama.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lust
Noun
Sailors and landlubbers can lust after the latest jackets and other gear for foul or fair weather — and conduct a battle of the brands — by bouncing between Helly Hansen and Musto, only three doors apart.
—Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Glinda also just might have a wedding on the horizon to Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, despite him blatantly lusting after Elphaba.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Verb
La Piscine’s dark summer romp through the dangers of lust, jealousy, and gluttony proves nothing is ultimately sexier than the privilege of indifference.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
This is consciousness-raising comedy about divinity, lust and landscaping that is also a beautiful balanced human drama.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lust
Noun
-
Come for the hard news and stay for stuff that feeds your passions: top-shelf dining, sports and music content.—
Benjamin Goad,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
-
After finishing her schooling, Laine worked in a variety of day jobs, although her passion for performing never wavered.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
Zuckerberg’s drive to get ahead on AI may be rooted in part in his desire to own a foundational platform for the next major technology wave.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
Lawrence previously opened up about his desire to make an A.I. version of Williams’ voice while speaking with EW last April.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
-
Cooper Flagg’s work ethic does not specifically come from a thirst from within, a drive to be the best.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
The vehicle must be shipped in segments to Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 3 in Virginia, where it will be fully mated as a rocket.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
These windows prime our neural circuits to respond to opportunities for mating.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
The Candy Bar, next door to Scratch Biscuit Kitchen, will fix any craving for a sweet beach treat.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
-
Sleep deprivation is also associated with disruptions in appetite-regulating hormones (ghrelin and leptin), which often increases cravings for sugary, nutrient-poor foods.12 2.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
There is perhaps even more diversity around technology transfer, with rules, attitudes and enthusiasm varying significantly between universities.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
But its interest would set off a free-for-all among large railroads and pose a test of the Trump administration’s enthusiasm for industrial consolidation.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
These guppies also attempted to sneakily copulate with the females more often.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
-
Male bees are fooled by these lookalikes and will attempt to copulate with them and, in doing so, will spread the pollen of the orchid.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Rodin said his approach to sculpting women was to portray them ‘as full partners in ardor,’ but such eroticism made his works controversial.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
But nothing gets at the unabashed nature of Babygirl’s eroticism like that shot of Samuel tenderly cradling his lover like a child after having spent long hours holed up in a hotel room together indulging in lovemaking and games of dominance and submission.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lust. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share