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
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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
Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Most incumbent players don’t want to change.
—Mike Hoffman, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Records obtained by the Journal Sentinel show the two sides still appear far apart in their wants, according to contract offers submitted to a state arbitrator.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Shockingly, an executive wrote me back, wanting to get a meeting on the books.
—Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Most incumbent players don’t want to change.
—Mike Hoffman, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
This means 50 percent of money goes toward needs (such as bills, housing, groceries); 30 percent toward wants (subscriptions, social life and vacations); and 20 percent toward savings.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Records obtained by the Journal Sentinel show the two sides still appear far apart in their wants, according to contract offers submitted to a state arbitrator.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
People might be craving horror as a way to make sense of this madness.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s a shame, because reassurance is what their audiences crave most when the world around them teeters.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ray doesn’t need to know that Akron Frank and Donald Washberg are somehow connected.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This is because Tianwen 3 needs more atmosphere to help slow its descent onto Mars for a safe landing.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Francis was said to have been keen to personally wish them a happy anniversary.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Stabler smirked before opening the door for her and wishing her a good night.—
Alex Ross,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deilus has found that many of her customers like to style vintage books on shelves or coffee tables and will keep her eyes peeled for interesting titles while thrifting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
For those who like to stay on top of their workout routine while traveling, The Fifth also features an on-site Fitness Suite with modern equipment.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the clock ticks, the lack of urgency in the nation's capital to keep the government's lights on stands in stark contrast to the consequences a shutdown may have for many Americans.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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Stoner says that reductions in STI services at the state and local levels, as well as social and economic conditions such as poverty and lack of health insurance, have likely contributed to rising rates of syphilis, which in turn led to increasing rates of congenital syphilis.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The federal government officially began a partial shutdown with no last-minute drama or shortage of finger-pointing from Democrats and Republicans, each of whom was content to blame the other for the impasse.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Families with incomes not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible to participate in Wisconsin Shares, and may remain eligible until their income reaches 85% of the state median income.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
If not renewed, those earning above 400% of the federal poverty level will lose subsidies, while those below 100% will see reduced support.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Humor savors an infirmity — a foible, a failing, a venality, a flaw.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The Broncos' late failings weren't entirely on Sean Payton, who was trending towards an F here before unleashing fire and fury on the Chargers with the Nix-to-Sutton fake pitch at the end of the first half.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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