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
Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Unions and district remain apart on salary increases, with teachers seeking 17% raises and Local 99 workers — some of the lowest-paid — also wanting stability.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Of course, the surge in entrepreneurship isn’t just about people wanting to be their own boss.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Variety following the good news, Coimbra recalls the serendipity of being contacted by Gullane about the project after years of wanting to adapt the real-life story himself.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
In the 1796 election, Jefferson’s Republican Party accused Adams of wanting to be a king and also grooming his son, John Quincy Adams, to become president immediately after his father.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Lardis kept his head up, wanting his next Hawks arrival to be permanent.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Gen Zers are battling a sluggish entry-level job market, stagnating wages, and high cost-of-living while wanting to financially prepare for the future.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 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
When the winter transfer window opened, there was significant interest from clubs wanting to take him on loan, because the player was still not getting many minutes at Barca.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Unions and district remain apart on salary increases, with teachers seeking 17% raises and Local 99 workers — some of the lowest-paid — also wanting stability.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Of course, the surge in entrepreneurship isn’t just about people wanting to be their own boss.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Variety following the good news, Coimbra recalls the serendipity of being contacted by Gullane about the project after years of wanting to adapt the real-life story himself.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
In the 1796 election, Jefferson’s Republican Party accused Adams of wanting to be a king and also grooming his son, John Quincy Adams, to become president immediately after his father.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Lardis kept his head up, wanting his next Hawks arrival to be permanent.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Gen Zers are battling a sluggish entry-level job market, stagnating wages, and high cost-of-living while wanting to financially prepare for the future.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
Sometimes that’s totally wrong, because people are overestimating their kids or underestimating Joan Mitchell or whomever.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Or show off the Sombor Shuffle with an 11-footer off the wrong foot.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the upper frequencies are still slightly lacking.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Karwai Tang / WireImage via Getty Images The monarch's younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested in February by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, was absent after attending last year's Easter gathering accompanied by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images Andrew, the king's brother and former prince, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were absent after attending last year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Preposition
-
While your expressive nature loves the spotlight, group work is currently the ideal way to showcase your skills without accidentally bragging.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Keeping in mind the teams wrap up the series Wednesday afternoon at Fenway, the Red Sox should be extremely grateful to get out of Tuesday’s game without needing to pull Contreras off some fallen Brewer.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whatever folks are craving, Haider said there’s something for everyone.—
Jenna Thompson
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Saturday is a chance to win the hearts of fans craving cleaner, more exciting football after Billy Napier’s four seasons.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boarding can be delayed Across the industry, boarding is a consistent barrier to an on-time departure, the spokesperson said — and boarding can be delayed by passengers needing extra time to store bags because of a lack of overhead storage.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Junk was effective on the mound, needing just 87 pitches to log his 22 outs.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The first lady spoke as well, wishing all Americans a happy Easter.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The senators who kill the filibuster today will spend years wishing someone had saved it.—
Tony Vanderhoef,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the robot companies’ success hinges in part on people liking the robots.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Yet somehow, in spite of themselves, everyone kind of winds up liking him.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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