1
as in wrong
falling short of a standard
we tried her cooking and found it to be very wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
at this time of year food for many wild animals is wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absent
not present or in evidence
grass is almost entirely wanting in that arid wasteland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in craving
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
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 wishing
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in liking
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanting
Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Charter’s plans have no contracts — so other than wanting to maintain the savings, customers can switch at any time.
—Javier Palomarez, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
The streetcar day is free, but those wanting to go should RSVP for free using this link.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
This isn’t the first time King has been vocal about wanting to appear in more of Euphoria.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
China seems to be the place to visit for world leaders over the past two weeks, and not simply for runners wanting to conquer the Great Wall Marathon over the weekend.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
He was abruptly moved from the starting lineup to the bench on the eve of the regular-season opener, with coach Chris Finch wanting to put the ball in Anthony Edwards’ hands and give the younger Donte DiVincenzo an opportunity to start.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Instead of wanting to hide her hairstyle, the toddler came home proud of herself for being brave enough to go through with it.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Places like Kwigillingok and Kipnuk are stuck — wanting to rebuild and move on, but fearful of the next storm.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Adjective
Verdon demanded much of herself and of others, in her relationships, in her work, and Williams captured that hunger, along with the vulnerability that so much wanting lays bare.
—Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Verb
In addition to creating an election crimes office and tougher penalties for fraud, the new law required that voters wanting a mail ballot must request one every election cycle.
—Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Charter’s plans have no contracts — so other than wanting to maintain the savings, customers can switch at any time.
—Javier Palomarez, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
The streetcar day is free, but those wanting to go should RSVP for free using this link.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
This isn’t the first time King has been vocal about wanting to appear in more of Euphoria.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
China seems to be the place to visit for world leaders over the past two weeks, and not simply for runners wanting to conquer the Great Wall Marathon over the weekend.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
He was abruptly moved from the starting lineup to the bench on the eve of the regular-season opener, with coach Chris Finch wanting to put the ball in Anthony Edwards’ hands and give the younger Donte DiVincenzo an opportunity to start.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Instead of wanting to hide her hairstyle, the toddler came home proud of herself for being brave enough to go through with it.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Places like Kwigillingok and Kipnuk are stuck — wanting to rebuild and move on, but fearful of the next storm.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
In Georgia, a judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit because it had been filed in the wrong city, prompting the government to refile elsewhere.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
-
In its deconstruction of society and the prejudice that immigrants face, Fjord per critics could conceivably rub both liberals and conservatives the wrong way.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.—
Irene Zabytko
May 7,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
So many young players come up the ranks lacking game management.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Or about Evan Mobley going absent for stretches of Game 2.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
-
Former Prince Andrew was absent from the lineup as he was stripped of his royal duties in 2019 amid controversy surrounding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Preposition
-
Now there is space for the remaining patients to occupy their seats without the self-conscious drawing-in of arms and legs that comes from sitting too close to a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
American families who want a convenient holiday without sacrificing taste or style, more than a few trendsetters who enjoy poolside dancing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The tiny glow-boosting beads burst upon contact to support elasticity and collagen production, making this an especially good pick for mature skin craving more cushion and bounce.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
20 May 2026
-
In so many ways, this level of excellence is exactly what fans are craving on TV and social media nowadays — every aspect of the arts working at their best to tell meaningful stories.—
Karen Idelson,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Your natural warmth helps people stay engaged without needing to force enthusiasm.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Haiti entered the final round of qualifying matches needing a victory and Honduras to lose or draw to qualify automatically as the first-place finisher in Group C of Concacaf World Cup qualifying.—
Michelle Kaufman
May 24,
Miami Herald,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Helprin's tree has also led to other wishing trees popping up around Portland, including one on North Williams Avenue between Northeast Shaver Street and Northeast Mason Street that has plenty of wishes tied to it, according to Atlas Obscura.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
The horses and riders who lined up to contest the €500,000 (US$580,200) first prize were in the form of their lives, all wishing for their names to be etched on the wall among the pantheon of greats who have come before them.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s a core foundation of Mancs and Scousers not liking each other very much that underpins it all.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
-
Additionally, reasons included enjoying the job, liking to work, being bored, and wanting to help others.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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