1
as in craves
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needs
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 wishes
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in likes
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lacks
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weaknesses
a defect in character
she's well-meaning and kind, but her besetting want is a complete lack of tact
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wants
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has shown interest in a team in London; Qatar Sports Investment, the owners of soccer giant PSG, is eying one in Paris; and RedBird Capital, which owns AC Milan and is an investor in Paramount, wants a team in Milan.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Through that roster transition, Sullivan clearly wants Achane to see the other side of it, when the Dolphins could be serious contenders again after stockpiling multiple draft classes and being aggressive in free agency once again after taking on a record $179 million in dead money in 2026.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
With Emmys season looming, the TV Academy wants to pave a smoother path.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Sacrifice my wants/needs for what needed to be done.
—Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2026
So is this entire show, which wants your focus to be on the whole, on Chicagoans doing their best in difficult circumstances.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
John also becomes close to Laura, her husband, Piro, and their teen-age child Tali, who wants to become a jess herself.
—Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The market would not sell alcohol, given Estrada wants to use coolers previously used to store alcoholic beverages to expand the store’s dairy selection.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Let the clock spring forward all its wants.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 6 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of a set schedule and activities with no wiggle room, retreats will start to cater to your wants and needs.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
To figure out how Syria can best rebuild, its leaders and international supporters must understand the wants and needs of the country’s citizens.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Conversations regarding project details date back to November 2023 as staff and community members shared their wants and needs at public meetings.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
The nonprofit, which formed a year ago under the auspices of the Downtown Alliance, plans a public engagement process to examine key wants and needs downtown and inform a long-term improvement strategy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
October 23 – November 21 Creativity wants a stage — and willing partners.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has shown interest in a team in London; Qatar Sports Investment, the owners of soccer giant PSG, is eying one in Paris; and RedBird Capital, which owns AC Milan and is an investor in Paramount, wants a team in Milan.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Through that roster transition, Sullivan clearly wants Achane to see the other side of it, when the Dolphins could be serious contenders again after stockpiling multiple draft classes and being aggressive in free agency once again after taking on a record $179 million in dead money in 2026.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
With Emmys season looming, the TV Academy wants to pave a smoother path.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Sacrifice my wants/needs for what needed to be done.
—Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2026
So is this entire show, which wants your focus to be on the whole, on Chicagoans doing their best in difficult circumstances.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
John also becomes close to Laura, her husband, Piro, and their teen-age child Tali, who wants to become a jess herself.
—Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The market would not sell alcohol, given Estrada wants to use coolers previously used to store alcoholic beverages to expand the store’s dairy selection.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
That means 50% of a budget is spent on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings or debt payments.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Let the clock spring forward all its wants.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 6 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of a set schedule and activities with no wiggle room, retreats will start to cater to your wants and needs.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
To figure out how Syria can best rebuild, its leaders and international supporters must understand the wants and needs of the country’s citizens.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Conversations regarding project details date back to November 2023 as staff and community members shared their wants and needs at public meetings.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
The nonprofit, which formed a year ago under the auspices of the Downtown Alliance, plans a public engagement process to examine key wants and needs downtown and inform a long-term improvement strategy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
If your family craves beach time beyond Galveston, these barrier islands deliver.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And for anyone who craves the Charlotte that existed before the craft cocktail boom and the rooftop bar era, this basement-level pub is a gift.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Griffin said the county also needs to be mindful of ensuring access throughout the county to vital services, especially as other facilities continue to age, and consider whether more promotion is needed to inform the public about what the community resource centers offer.—
Mary Ramsey
April 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
From Hollywood, California, to Hollywood, Florida, the wage standard needs nurturing and protecting with whatever tools are available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who wishes to share photos or videos after a storm passes through can join CBS News Detroit's Weather Watcher Network.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, House of Colour offers personal shopping for clients, which can be done inside Surprise Lily Boutique, if the client wishes.—
Bailey Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That screams change of scenery, but DeGourville, like his childhood buddy Compton, likes Montezuma Mesa and may push to stay.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In another episode, Meghan reveals that Archie is a budding fisherman, having caught two trout on a family vacation, and that Lili likes to join her in making preserves.—
GMA Team,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The model, Claude Mythos, excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software, and Anthropic is limiting access to try to prevent bad actors from exploiting that capability, the company said.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Players undergo stress tests during practice so the coaching staff can identify weaknesses before the season starts.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Libra September 23 – October 22 Libra, balance requires substance behind the smile.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The challenge is that manure is already extremely nutrient-dense—often providing far more nitrogen and phosphorus than even a productive garden requires.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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