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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 want
Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
And, despite depending solely on word-of-satisfied-mouths to promote the sauce, lots of people wanted it and want it still.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Margarita’s disability may, of course, impact and affect those wants and needs in slightly different ways (versus those of a neurotypical person), but the core of her experience is common.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Attorneys want to meet for a charge conference by Wednesday, and closing arguments are expected on Thursday.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
And, despite depending solely on word-of-satisfied-mouths to promote the sauce, lots of people wanted it and want it still.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Noun
First, its research partner — the national nonprofit Urban Peace Institute — dispatches a team to canvass the community about its wants, fears, and needs.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Margarita’s disability may, of course, impact and affect those wants and needs in slightly different ways (versus those of a neurotypical person), but the core of her experience is common.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
People crave connection, especially when everything feels automated.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Louise Erdrich craved Marjorie Morningstar and reveled in James Welch’s Winter in the Blood.—
Donna Seaman
June 18,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Key Player With two key absences at either end of the field, France will need players to step up in attack as well as defense to plug the holes left by the veterans.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
The commissioners don’t want the unit value to decrease with the additional teams, so the networks need to ante up.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The topic of banning phones at gigs has been a contentious one over the years, with artists wishing for fans to live in the moment, and fans desiring a chance to memorialize their concert experiences.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
19 June 2025
-
In the meantime, wishing everyone a happy Juneteenth, aka Emancipation Day.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
The designs were situated over three floors, where guests were allowed to select a Levi’s item and customize it to [their] liking with graphics, rhinestones, and other embellishments.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 June 2025
-
And every player likes to be in a good environment like that.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
A lot of people watch Fox or MSNBC or ABC to get their news, but as far as programming that’s reality-based or even scripted even, there’s a lack of quality content that’s produced well for that (conservative) audience.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
-
Last season, Al Hilal’s attack mustered 95 goals even as the team finished second, eight points behind Al Ittihad, but Asian Champions League glory has eluded them since 2021, casting a harsher light on their lack of elite individual quality.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
There is a growing shortage of drivers, rising costs, and relentless demand for faster deliveries.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
-
To address the critical worker shortage, Massachusetts must prioritize benefits and training and improve pay for DSPs.—
Brian Cusack,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The researchers also compiled data on four key negative social conditions – corruption, inequality, poverty and violence – of 183 countries and all 50 US states, going back 20 years to see if there was a connection.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
20 June 2025
-
Inequality is poverty’s foremost enemy, not statistics and Census figures.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, is examining the failings that led to the film being broadcast.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share