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
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
However, coins might be a better fit for collectors or those wanting to actively trade in the gold market.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Lyles did not give a reason for stepping down beyond wanting to spend more time with her family.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
Staying at a beautiful hotel and wanting to make it down to breakfast in time?
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
Everyone wanting to see Machu Picchu, of course.
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
Everyone freaked out in different amounts and at different times and to different degrees of wanting to talk about it.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
So feeling that and really wanting to give that to other women.
—Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 May 2026
No criminal masterminds, the brothers had police wanting a chat within days.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 11 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
Even though there have still been a few moments where his defensive instincts have been found wanting, the club anticipate interest from the Premier League and Europe in a 23-year-old who has proven himself to be low-maintenance and dependable.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
However, coins might be a better fit for collectors or those wanting to actively trade in the gold market.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Lyles did not give a reason for stepping down beyond wanting to spend more time with her family.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
Staying at a beautiful hotel and wanting to make it down to breakfast in time?
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
Everyone wanting to see Machu Picchu, of course.
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
Everyone freaked out in different amounts and at different times and to different degrees of wanting to talk about it.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
So feeling that and really wanting to give that to other women.
—Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 May 2026
No criminal masterminds, the brothers had police wanting a chat within days.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
The challenge these proposals aim to address is real — but trying to hold back the tide is the wrong answer.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
In a 4-3 ruling, the court said the legislature followed the wrong process for putting the question, an amendment to the state constitution, on the ballot.—
Larry Kaplow,
NPR,
9 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
-
The most concerning scenario is a slow-moving catastrophe that never fully enters public consciousness due to largely absent data.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Ayton, a key part of the Lakers’ first-round series win, has been largely absent in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Preposition
-
Bradley’s film choreography, even in the numbers that Footer deems masterpieces, is above average, clever and assured, but Astaire’s art—inconceivable without the enormous influence of Bradley’s Black contemporaries, like John Bubbles—is in another league.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
After a frenzied opening 45 minutes, the second half and extra time largely passed without incident.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Everyone in my family is a fan of bread studded with salty briny olives, and this recipe takes that craving a step further, said Joe Woodhouse.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
9 May 2026
-
This is familiar territory for singular sports figures; think of how, over three seasons of 100 Foot Wave, big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara has opened up about his own vacillation between craving dominance and fearing irrelevance.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The day after that loss, per team sources, Brunson approached the team before practice about needing to re-shift the collective mindset.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Galeno is licensed to keep Drago the alligator until the reptile is ready and maybe too big, needing relocation to a proper environment for alligators of his size.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Given the venue’s limited space, those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible via this link and to arrive on time.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
-
Iran demands that all vessels wishing to transit the strait do so in coordination with its military, which is believed to be charging tolls for passage.—
Sarah Lynch Baldwin,
CBS News,
11 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 16 May. 2026.
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