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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Although some might interpret this decision as Swift wanting to make her wedding a public spectacle after all, insiders insist that’s not the case.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
30 June 2026
For anyone wanting to see or experience the sites and vestiges of Miami’s ancient inhabitants, the people known as Tequesta and their even more enigmatic Archaic forebears, there are only a few places to go.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The director, 68, and the action star, 78, worked together on 1996's Eraser, with both wanting to deliver an amazing action movie.
—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Those wanting to monitor NDS’s output can always follow this Bluesky account, which posts an update any time a federal domain is registered or removed.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
Some of these bans have been the result of parents demanding less technology in the classroom, even wanting to opt their children out of it altogether.
—
Ulrich Boser,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Still there were no goals as Morocco let multiple chances go wanting and the Dutch failed to look truly dangerous in the final third.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Healthcare demand is often inelastic, meaning even in times of dire financial straits, people are still seeking treatment, and companies like UPS and FedEx are wanting to capitalize.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
23 June 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
Despite his recent struggles, Soriano has been the subject of trade deadline speculation, with the Angels reportedly not wanting to move him and other young players.
—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Although some might interpret this decision as Swift wanting to make her wedding a public spectacle after all, insiders insist that’s not the case.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
30 June 2026
For anyone wanting to see or experience the sites and vestiges of Miami’s ancient inhabitants, the people known as Tequesta and their even more enigmatic Archaic forebears, there are only a few places to go.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The director, 68, and the action star, 78, worked together on 1996's Eraser, with both wanting to deliver an amazing action movie.
—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Those wanting to monitor NDS’s output can always follow this Bluesky account, which posts an update any time a federal domain is registered or removed.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
Some of these bans have been the result of parents demanding less technology in the classroom, even wanting to opt their children out of it altogether.
—
Ulrich Boser,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Still there were no goals as Morocco let multiple chances go wanting and the Dutch failed to look truly dangerous in the final third.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Healthcare demand is often inelastic, meaning even in times of dire financial straits, people are still seeking treatment, and companies like UPS and FedEx are wanting to capitalize.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
Something told me that there was something wrong.
-
The interest rate hypothesis points the wrong direction — the most rate-sensitive occupations, like construction, have the lowest AI exposure.
Adjective
-
An honest review would tell you the coordination was a little lacking in this particular bit of maritime cosplay.
-
While sports governing bodies such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have come to recognize that press freedom is an essential part of their commitments to uphold human rights, results are vastly lacking.
Adjective
-
The advisory infrastructure to prevent this outcome is largely absent at the small business level.
-
Twenty-four assemblymembers and 15 senators did not cast a vote, though some of those lawmakers were absent from the vote.
Preposition
-
Gonzalez Gurrola remains in custody without bail at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
-
The case challenges the agency’s practice of holding noncitizens for sometimes days in facilities without a bed or other adequate accommodations.
Verb
-
Whether that means trading heavier winter fragrances for something brighter, packing a beachy body mist for vacation, or simply craving a scent that feels a little lighter and easier to wear in the heat.
-
Gourmand perfumes, scents built around edible, dessert-like notes, continue to dominate because shoppers are craving comfort and nostalgia.
Verb
-
January 20 – February 18 Connections feel electric without needing to rush.
-
Amiri came up next, needing to score to keep his team alive and simply buried it in the bottom right corner.
Verb
-
More recently, it’s been revived in its traditional leather form by brands and designers wishing to capture our more casual moment in an elegant format.
-
The country singer joined the many friends and family wishing the Eyes Wide Shut actress a happy 59th birthday on June 20.
Verb
-
These premium earbuds combine some of the best active noise cancellation in the category with rich, detailed sound that can be customized to your liking through Sony's companion app.
-
At issue today is whether or not liking social media posts is an angerable offence on a reality television program.
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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