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
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
September 23 – October 22 Libra, balance wants action more than perfection.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
But no studio wants to be associated with a string of bombs.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The company wants hikes in January 2027 and again in January 2028 that would raise residential rates by about 16% for Duke Energy Carolinas customers.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
That kind of turnaround in less than a week is the progress update every animal lover wants to see.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The Embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dyer said the city still wants to do what’s best for Lubbe House, and officials will be seeking community input on its next chapter.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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
There are many platforms to choose from, depending on the needs and specific wants of each organization.
—Jason Phillips, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
The union claimed that the company wants to eliminate more than 100 jobs, cut salaries, and install AI surveillance systems.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
September 23 – October 22 Libra, balance wants action more than perfection.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
But no studio wants to be associated with a string of bombs.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The company wants hikes in January 2027 and again in January 2028 that would raise residential rates by about 16% for Duke Energy Carolinas customers.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
That kind of turnaround in less than a week is the progress update every animal lover wants to see.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The Embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dyer said the city still wants to do what’s best for Lubbe House, and officials will be seeking community input on its next chapter.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
There are many platforms to choose from, depending on the needs and specific wants of each organization.
—Jason Phillips, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
Scott's Patton reveals the darker side of humanity that craves conflict, that lives for it.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Whether your family craves a beach escape, a city full of new experiences, or something scenic and low-key, these destinations are easy to book, surprisingly affordable, and genuinely worth the spontaneity.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After winning a landslide victory earlier this year that put her Liberal Democratic Party in the driver’s seat, Takaichi now needs to deliver on the fundamental, kitchen-table issues facing the Japanese economy.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who wishes to be anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers.—
Cole Premo,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
If a passenger’s seat does not recline and the person wishes to move locations, Whitmore suggested speaking with a flight attendant about available options.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Theresa likes selections like fish, corn dogs, pasta and more.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Easter cactus likes bright, indirect light, not direct sunlight, which can scorch the foliage.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 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
-
Some organizations squander the potential of advanced technologies, while others can compensate for technological weaknesses.—
Jon R. Lindsay,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Two weaknesses could have impacted this market.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The new law also requires some Medi-Cal enrollees (working-age adults without kids) to have their eligibility redetermined every six months instead of every year.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Miss Manners therefore requires turning one’s back — while also showing one’s profile and expressing thanks and apologies for stepping on toes and purse straps.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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