Synonym Chooser

How does the verb covet differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covet are crave, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When is crave a more appropriate choice than covet?

The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When is it sensible to use desire instead of covet?

The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

When might want be a better fit than covet?

While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When could wish be used to replace covet?

In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of covet Having starred in multiple Hallmark movies (including The Christmas House, The Holiday Sitter, and Christmas on Cherry Lane), Bennett knew firsthand what the network looks for in a leading man — and how coveted those holiday film roles really are. EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024 This gloss hydrates and gives lips that coveted full look. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 But voters without college degrees are particularly coveted as one of the anchors of today's politics. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2024 The slots were highly coveted by the major airlines. Edward Russell, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for covet 

Thesaurus Entries Near covet

Cite this Entry

“Covet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covet. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on covet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!