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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
grew up in extreme want
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 want
Majdi Mohammed and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Not to have another baby, even though Eddie wants to.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025
Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
Finally, this Barefoot Dreams blanket is not a need but a major want.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Verb
Palestinians want all three territories for their future independent state.
—Majdi Mohammed and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Not to have another baby, even though Eddie wants to.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
For some users, these bots can seem like near-ideal partners, without their own wants or needs, and can make real relationships seem burdensome in comparison, researchers say.
—Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
Finally, this Barefoot Dreams blanket is not a need but a major want.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for want
Recent Examples of Synonyms for want
Verb
-
Successful organizations are those that can learn continuously—and this requires individuals and teams who crave to know more and who seek challenges and learning.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
For Dimension 20, its existing library of pre-pandemic games attracted people who maybe craved togetherness and lighthearted escapism.—
Eric Francisco,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Galina says her son doesn't need to apologize to anyone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
To make international calls, send messages, share links, images, videos and files for free, WhatsApp only needed a phone number.—
Angrej Singh,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
State leaders react to the incident Following Hosemann’s collapse, state leaders, including Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, wished him a speedy recovery.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The prepayment penalties unfairly restrict borrowers who wish to pay off their debts early, penalizing responsible financial behavior and discouraging economic mobility.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
His mother, Helen, was a librarian, and his father, John, sold insurance and liked to sing opera around the house.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Of course, leather isn’t the only option out there for those who like the simplicity of a tote bag.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Rubin: There was a surprising lack of campiness to this whole thing.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
-
That was quite the head scratcher given the extended absences of Lynch and Flair as well as the general lack of top women’s singles stars on both Raw and SmackDown.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There's a regional shortage of crossing guards, leading to school safety concerns, but D.C. officials say there's another obstacle: mandatory drug tests, which 43% of applicants fail.—
Anna Spiegel,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Freddie Mac estimates that there is a shortage of 3.7 million units in the U.S. Houses can’t be built overnight, which means housing inflation will remain an issue for some time.—
Chris Gunster,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The district’s poverty rate was 14% in 2023, compared with 11.1% for the nation, according to Statista and the U.S. Census Bureau.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Known for his incredible racing career, John Force has made a huge impact on professional drag racing, having overcome many challenges including childhood poverty and polio, before becoming one of the greats in the sport with a record-breaking 157 wins in NHRA professional racing events.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Does the actor looking older than her 21 years (a notion that is, of course, entirely subjective) infer some kind of moral failing?—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Supervisors cited this as one example of the unit’s failings.—
Donna McGuire,
Ian Cummings,
and Glenn E. Rice,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Want.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/want. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share