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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of wants
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2026
This model is for everyone who wants to know both what is likely to happen in an upcoming soccer match, but also why.
—Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Gavin theorizes that maybe everything is a little too nice, a little too boring, and Kenny wants some more passion in his relationship.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Even still, Xi’s visit now, and his talk of deepening ties across trade, science and technology, is a sign that Beijing wants to reassert its position as Pyongyang’s primary partner.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
For example, Gonzales wants to abolish the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Someone who is not feeling well, or wants information on public health, should call the Department of Public Health at 626-430-9821.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Adraee wants his videos to go viral, leaning on the casual nature of social media to get his message across.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
That’s not what Bergh wants to show.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Their thinly sketched roles only underscore the welcome presence of Nate’s three daughters, who — while individualized with distinct wants and needs — maintain a feminine alliance that gives the story its heart.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
The price simply reflects the building’s capacity for satisfying human wants—with the latter as well as the former physical facts about the world.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The fact that those dreary assessments have very little to do with the actual wants and needs of the vast majority of Californians — not to mention the state’s history of electing mostly dull and drab governors — should give their authors pause.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
The petition states that Nick Reiner still wants Jackson to represent him, and that Jackson is still willing to do so if funds can be obtained.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2026
This model is for everyone who wants to know both what is likely to happen in an upcoming soccer match, but also why.
—Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Gavin theorizes that maybe everything is a little too nice, a little too boring, and Kenny wants some more passion in his relationship.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Even still, Xi’s visit now, and his talk of deepening ties across trade, science and technology, is a sign that Beijing wants to reassert its position as Pyongyang’s primary partner.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
For example, Gonzales wants to abolish the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Someone who is not feeling well, or wants information on public health, should call the Department of Public Health at 626-430-9821.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Adraee wants his videos to go viral, leaning on the casual nature of social media to get his message across.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
That’s not what Bergh wants to show.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Noun
These are more than reasonable wants.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Their thinly sketched roles only underscore the welcome presence of Nate’s three daughters, who — while individualized with distinct wants and needs — maintain a feminine alliance that gives the story its heart.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
The price simply reflects the building’s capacity for satisfying human wants—with the latter as well as the former physical facts about the world.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The fact that those dreary assessments have very little to do with the actual wants and needs of the vast majority of Californians — not to mention the state’s history of electing mostly dull and drab governors — should give their authors pause.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
Update a profile photo and choose a guiding word for the month, because tiny experiments spark the kind of momentum your curious mind craves.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Yet their invisible presence was a reminder that Hollywood still craves, and needs, Cannes glamour, and vice-versa.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot of repairing and resolution that needs to happen in this final episode, but luckily things start strong with Liz and Jo-Ellen pulling each other aside to talk things through on the beach.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
There are times Burns gets exhausted and overwhelmed and wishes another firm would acquire hers.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
-
Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Trundle, as with Ronaldo in the clip above, likes to add a sole roll just before the stepover.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Its genres include the intense, hypnotic acid house that Rinoka likes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The artist thought that paintings and drawings have a certain depth that photography on its own lacks.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
The note, which was published by Xbox on Xbox Wire, does not address potential layoffs but instead focuses on specific weaknesses within the division, including a 3% accountability margin for the fiscal year.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
In Cancer, Venus desires emotional safety, loyalty and genuine intimacy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
-
On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This specific energy discharge behavior is relevant for machinery that requires brief, intense energy outputs, such as unmanned aerial vehicles during departure and descent sequences.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
Not only that, S&P Dow Jones Indices also requires companies to have made a profit in its most recent quarter and over the sum of its last four quarters.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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