DESIRE Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'desire' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of desire are covet , crave , want , and wish . While all these words mean "to have a longing for," desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. // desires to start a new life

Q: Where would 'covet' be a reasonable alternative to 'desire'?

While the synonyms covet and desire are close in meaning, covet implies strong envious desire. // covets his rise to fame

Q: When might 'crave' be a better fit than 'desire'?

In some situations, the words crave and desire are roughly equivalent. However, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need. // craves sweets

Q: When could 'want' be used to replace 'desire'?

The synonyms want and desire are sometimes interchangeable, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack. // wants to have a family

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wish' instead of 'desire'?

The meanings of wish and desire largely overlap; however, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. // wishes for permanent world peace

desire 1 of 2

noun

Definition of desire next

as in urge

a strong wish for something a desire for adventure and excitement prompted him to travel to Africa

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in passion

sexual appetite ads for drugs that increase desire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in appeal

an earnest request at the delegate's desire, the voice vote on the controversial measure was followed by an actual roll call

Synonyms & Similar Words

desire

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈzī(-ə)r

as in to crave

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seek

to make a request for the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb desire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of desire are covet, crave, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

Where would covet be a reasonable alternative to desire?

While the synonyms covet and desire are close in meaning, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

When might crave be a better fit than desire?

In some situations, the words crave and desire are roughly equivalent. However, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When could want be used to replace desire?

The synonyms want and desire are sometimes interchangeable, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

When is it sensible to use wish instead of desire?

The meanings of wish and desire largely overlap; however, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

Example 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 desire

Noun

In its ruling, the court said that Mr. Kimura, who was unemployed, had tried to kill the prime minister out of a desire to gain public attention. —

Martin Fackler, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Same with any desire for more speed and playmaking. —

Ben Standig, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Verb

Responding to feedback desiring more places to sit, there will be a lounge and DJ area with seating, Miller Hall said. —

Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 Read More: Inside the Chaos, Confusion, and Heartbreak of Trump’s Foreign-Aid Freeze In mere days, the funding freeze has achieved what the Presidents of Russia and Belarus have desired for several decades: taking an axe to the remnants of independent media in the former Soviet countries. —

David Koranyi, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for desire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire

Noun

Romans in Pompeii painted explicit frescos of cunnilingus, and Australian Aboriginal rock art depicts men with massive dicks (proving certain artistic urges transcend geography and history).

— Chris Erik Thomas, Them, 10 Feb. 2025
Listen to your muse — this could be the urge to adorn your living space or host a quiet date night at your place.

— Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025