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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

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verb

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
With a desire to focus on education for African Americans, Laney founded the Haines Institute, which included classes from kindergarten through junior college. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 Testy exchange Zelenskyy began the meeting by reasserting his desire for security guarantees from the U.S. to ensure Russia doesn't restart the conflict after a peace deal. Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Start by adding a small amount and adjust your portions as desired based on taste preferences and health effects. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 12 Mar. 2025 If desired, garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
  • Often, the urge to control how things unfold leads to frustration, impulsive decisions and unnecessary stress.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • But even if your last wet T-shirt contest is safely in the rearview mirror, there’s still the urge to shake off winter and welcome the sunshine.
    Jessica Iredale, airmail.news, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One of his passions was buying and reselling trucks and tractors.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Friedrich Nietzsche's idea of rationality, Apollonian, and the irrational passion, defined as Dionysian, have always been a sort of philosophical guide for Murano; his way of conceiving fashion.
    Alberto Calabrese, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For Shirazi, part of the appeal of government work was the security.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The rug’s slightly distressed look gives it a bit of vintage appeal, and its stain-resistant finish will protect against everyday spills and debris.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And who’s not craving some good-versus-evil stuff right now?
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This high-paying job offers the intellectual stimulation introverts often crave, with projects that require sustained focus rather than constant collaboration.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Seahawks are seeking a first- and third-round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old Metcalf, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Thursday, and Metcalf is eyeing a new contract worth around $30 million per year.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • His company, MrBeast Industries, is now seeking to raise several hundred million dollars in funding at a staggering valuation of $5 billion, per a Bloomberg report.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The earworm record provokes a sense of longing, one that is uplifting, cathartic and beautiful.
    Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • If the famous pistol scene feels a bit anticlimactic, the end of the play distills a shattering feeling of longing for something long lost.
    Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Sermon on the Mount, with all its grandeur and divine nobility of heart, has proved futile in diminishing the lust and gratification of raw power.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Still, lust is the strongest bonding agent of all, so MG and Storm’s flirtation catches more than a few eyes.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Watch Moore’s six-minute statement/plea below, then hit the comments with your reactions.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Willis’ lawyer, John Picerno, entered the not guilty plea on Willis’ behalf, and the judge entered the plea on behalf of Carson, who doesn’t yet have an attorney and plans to apply for a public defender.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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