1
as in to crave
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 to need
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 to wish
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to like
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the proverb that begins, "for want of a nail, the shoe was lost"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a notable want of teachers in that rural school district
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
those children are in want of some good discipline
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4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in failing
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 want
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 May 2025
But once the pregnancy becomes apparent — a pregnancy that Dina very much wants to see through — then the only choice is to climb back onto Shimmer and ride the 800 miles back to Jackson.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025
Selome Hailu, Variety, 6 Apr. 2025
Healthy conflict can bring partners closer by opening the door to deep, meaningful conversations about wants and needs, which can then lead to problem-solving.
—Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Bucky is helping Yelena lead the team, which is apparently now locked in a copyright battle with Sam Wilson, who seems to want to start his own non-governmental Avengers squad.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 May 2025
But once the pregnancy becomes apparent — a pregnancy that Dina very much wants to see through — then the only choice is to climb back onto Shimmer and ride the 800 miles back to Jackson.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025
Noun
Like Neighbor Guy, Sonya was another character fictionalized to fulfill the wants and needs Kochan had in real life.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 6 Apr. 2025
Healthy conflict can bring partners closer by opening the door to deep, meaningful conversations about wants and needs, which can then lead to problem-solving.
—Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
In some cases, strongmen crave popular support, so the popular will can sustains autocratic stability.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
1 May 2025
-
If the Mom in your life is craving a nap or some solo time, encourage it!—
Laura Broadwell,
Parents,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Not every villain needs to be Thanos – sometimes the best/worst ones, like Val, lean more toward real life.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The Village of Chatham and Ball Chatham Schools are going to need their populations and that of the outside world to love them, pray for them, think of them.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The practice is a way of acknowledging those who reach out to wish them well for the occasion.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
The pet sitter, who wished to remain anonymous, recently confronted a client who didn't pay the full amount after watching the couple's dog.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Wylie, by all accounts, was well liked within the program and beloved by many players who viewed him as critical to their development.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Things were looking up later in the day after a report said the measure of inflation that the Fed likes to use slowed to 2.3% in March, the Associated Press reported.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The lack of border security created real problems for Americans, including crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
-
There were other issues for the Lakers in this series, but their lack of size, athleticism and physicality loomed over this five-game loss.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
But the policy meant to protect farmers, combined with other factors including extreme weather, has led to a rice shortage since last year.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 May 2025
-
Bad weather, the months long renovation of one of Newark's busiest runways for departing flights and a shortage of air traffic controllers have led to more than a week of of long delays and cancellations at the airport.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
According to the logline, Nook dreams of a better life but is caught in a rampant cycle of poverty and desperation within his Atlanta community.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
2 May 2025
-
My Ly covers health care and poverty for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.—
My Ly,
Arkansas Online,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Though authorities in South Yorkshire and centrally were to blame for the disaster, some of the deceased were still fighting for their lives when those responsible started shifting the focus away from their own failings, buttressed by support from craven sections of the media.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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It is meant as a critique of the ideological gatekeepers who may, for example, blame voters for their party’s failings rather than the party itself.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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