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

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 desire

Noun

Men can also divorce and remarry, or divorce and remarry and divorce again, over and over, as many times as their hearts desire. —

Vox Staff, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024 Retailers are tapping into a genuine desire for emotional connection and festive escapism. —

Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

If desired, add lemon juice, fresh fruit, club soda, or try transforming it into a kiwi-watermelon okra water popsicle, a la Duke. —

Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2024 Niccol must figure out a way to maintain the revenue of mobile and drive-thru orders while still making the in-store experience something to be desired. —

Azure Gilman, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for desire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire

Noun

Resist the urge to use something sharp or abrasive, as that could damage the mesh.

Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
At this point, resisting the urge to rotate, the superfluid suddenly spawns a single quantum vortex — a whorl of atoms surrounding a column of nothingness that extends to the bottom of the bucket.

Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024