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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 15 July 2025
This has triggered a backlash among those who want transparency about Epstein.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
The margins in the business were highly attractive When a factory line is down for want of a critical part, the price of transit is trivial compare to the cost of lost production.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
The speaker explained that conservatives who voted against the rule want the crypto bills -- CLARITY, GENIUS and Anti CBDC Surveillance Act -- combined into one big package, rather than take separate standalone votes on each measure.
—Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 15 July 2025
This has triggered a backlash among those who want transparency about Epstein.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
Years of having to be the practical one so Buddy could be the fun one have left her feeling invisible, alienated from her own wants and needs.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
The margins in the business were highly attractive When a factory line is down for want of a critical part, the price of transit is trivial compare to the cost of lost production.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
Not just taxing what people crave, but selling it—and creating the market if need be?—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
The transfer breakthrough Eddie Howe has been desperately craving after multiple setbacks — Bryan Mbeumo, Dean Huijsen and Joao Pedro among them — was at risk.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
By July, a garden in full bloom may need some encouragement to keep its beautiful flowers in supply.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
-
In the Nationals’ immediate future, the team will need to name permanent fixtures at general manager and manager.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Two people said those affected do not wish to be named in the final report.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 July 2025
-
If either of Burnett’s sons wishes to serve, they should absolutely be encouraged to run.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Those hoping for a bling-laden interior won’t like the Kia K4.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 July 2025
-
The first video Nolan posted about the paralysis has gone viral with more than 1.5 million views and over 18,700 likes on TikTok in a matter of days.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
So often, projects don’t get off the ground because of lack of funding.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump toured the flood site Friday, while officials faced mounting criticism over the lack of emergency warnings about quickly rising waters that killed at least 120 people, including over two dozen at an all-girls summer camp.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
California already faces some of the highest housing costs in the country and a shortage of construction workers.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
19 July 2025
-
Spain, to cite but one example, has a housing shortage and is currently considering levying a 100% tax on foreign buyers of real estate.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Despite abundant natural wealth, six out of 10 Liberians live in poverty, according to the World Bank, and Liberia is among the world's 10 poorest nations.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
-
One major source of funding for Wisconsin is the Every Student Succeeds Act, which broadly aims to reduce achievement gaps by providing funds to schools with high concentrations of students living in poverty.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
An independent inquiry into Wallace’s conduct on MasterChef will be published imminently, while next week, the BBC is expected to release an internal review into the failings that led to documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, being narrated by the child of a Hamas minister.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
-
This is the 10th fine the FCA has imposed on a bank for similar failings with financial crimes in the last four years.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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