1
as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to need
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wish
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the proverb that begins, "for want of a nail, the shoe was lost"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
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3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
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4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in failing
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of want
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Nearly 90% Floridians want some controls on AI, a University of North Florida poll found.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The masses, demeaned and starved, see in tyranny a tantalizing elixir of equality and self-respect, which will liberate them from élite domination and deliver them from want and anxieties.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Trust me, no Asian parents want their kids to go to med school to go into pathology.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Nearly 90% Floridians want some controls on AI, a University of North Florida poll found.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
Then, there’s comfort and affordability, which are always a want, but definitely not a guarantee.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The masses, demeaned and starved, see in tyranny a tantalizing elixir of equality and self-respect, which will liberate them from élite domination and deliver them from want and anxieties.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
People crave mind-altering experiences.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Other guitar virtuosos might crave at least a little downtime between concluding a Las Vegas concert residency with one band and launching a national tour with another band, not but Joe Satriani.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fuentes needed a name for this group of acolytes who showed up at Kirk’s events.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Beren is exactly what the hospital district has needed ever since King Tut moved a few blocks east.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But during arguments in the fall, Chiles' lawyer, James Campbell, told the justices that the way his client wishes to practice conversion therapy involves no physical restraints or coercion of any kind.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jenna is frustrated at his lack of seriousness, and Daisy wishes her department would stop bickering for once.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As recently as 2022, research group IDinsight found unintended pregnancy was, after a lack of money for school fees, the leading cause of girls not returning to education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In Miami-Dade, the lack of oversight has been acute, the Herald found.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response, the Fashion Institute of Technology has partnered with Nordstrom to create a training program aimed at addressing the shortage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Reuse was essential because in many contemporary cities, and especially across China, water shortages could be as much of a problem as flooding.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Why is there the perpetual erosion of our environment, and things like poverty, famine, homelessness and hatred and division?—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the health center's patients live at or below the federal poverty level — currently $33,000 for a family of four.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nicole Tallman’s job as a senior staffer under Miami-Dade County’s mayor puts her on the frontlines of county government’s many failings, mishaps and challenges.—
Douglas Hanks
April 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Before 1956, addiction to drugs and alcohol were considered failings in morality or personal will.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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