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
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
The city is also ripe for residents wanting to live somewhere that embraces progressive urban design and planning.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
To Bernardi’s point, there’s a feeling of wanting more from scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
For those who prioritize cost, single-hung is the best option, but for those wanting flexible ventilation, double-hung offers the best airflow.
—Anna Popp, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
This unique approach has made Alterre shoes especially popular with brides wanting something special for their big day as well as working women looking to maximize the cost-per-wear on office 'fits.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Kahana said Ach told him about Ad Kan's connection to Al-Majd, describing it as run by both Arabs and Israelis in Israel but not wanting to promote its Israeli ties.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, Vance’s name was left out of the conversation, which Ross chalked up to speakers — a number of whom were elected officials — not wanting to cross the White House.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is open to holding talks with countries wanting to safely access the strait.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 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
Travis Barker has worked with them, and every song is a Blink 182-level, class clown anthem about hot teachers and not wanting to leave your bedroom.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
The city is also ripe for residents wanting to live somewhere that embraces progressive urban design and planning.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
To Bernardi’s point, there’s a feeling of wanting more from scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
For those who prioritize cost, single-hung is the best option, but for those wanting flexible ventilation, double-hung offers the best airflow.
—Anna Popp, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
This unique approach has made Alterre shoes especially popular with brides wanting something special for their big day as well as working women looking to maximize the cost-per-wear on office 'fits.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Kahana said Ach told him about Ad Kan's connection to Al-Majd, describing it as run by both Arabs and Israelis in Israel but not wanting to promote its Israeli ties.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, Vance’s name was left out of the conversation, which Ross chalked up to speakers — a number of whom were elected officials — not wanting to cross the White House.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is open to holding talks with countries wanting to safely access the strait.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
This story has been updated to correct wrong information from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
-
So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.—
Jennifer Tescher,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Among the wins were directing (Paul Thomas Anderson), supporting actor (an absent Sean Penn), the coveted best picture award, and the inaugural statuette for casting.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, recipients must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, and must not be absent from the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
Preposition
-
Booker would effectively increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, available to very low-income taxpayers and meant to reward work, for workers without children from about $660 to $1,500.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For a wave of young jewelry brands that built their businesses on the promise of high-quality pieces without the high jewelry price tag, that’s a problem.—
Andrea Bossi,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Any flavor combination your taste buds are craving.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For creatives craving both the great outdoors and a thriving arts community, nearby Garden City is the place to be.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Korea entered its final game of pool play not just needing a win, but to beat Australia by at least five runs (assuming a regular nine-inning game).—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
After needing to qualify for the playoffs through the NBA’s play-in tournament in each of the last three seasons, the Miami Heat’s goal this regular season is to avoid the play-in.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a chorus of fans wishing Sullivan chose Door A, the one with no quarterback behind it.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Those wishing to discover a completely different side of Brooks can check out his debut album, Smooth Love.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The agents can also teach themselves how to perform new tasks and keep detailed notes about a user’s preferences, allowing the agents to mold themselves to users’ liking over time.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The textile strap can be adjusted to your exact liking on each foot, since the fabric is completely permeable.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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