1
as in craves
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 needs
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 wishes
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in likes
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lacks
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
2
as in weaknesses
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
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Recent Examples of wants
Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
In the state’s email to Abruzzo seeking to know more about the reserves, Fennell didn’t specify why the state wants the information.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
All this taught me to understand the daily humiliations one experiences as an exile and refugee in a world where nobody wants you.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The agency wants to fly Artemis missions at least once per year.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Those are some of the initiatives the Regional Transportation Authority wants to fund with $132 million in tax revenue for the CTA, Metra and Pace this year.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Now, McDonald’s wants to get in on the action.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Not that anyone wants to think about the present day.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Giaever who, after being called selfish by her dad, decides to offer free help to anyone who wants it.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
This rule is a common budgeting technique that states that 50% of your post-tax income goes to needs, 30% to your wants, and 20% gets set aside for the future.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2026
That means 50% of a budget is spent on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings or debt payments.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Say that a presidential candidate wants to create universal prekindergarten, implement a comprehensive parental-leave policy, lower the Medicare-eligibility age, and invest in clean energy and cancer research.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
In the state’s email to Abruzzo seeking to know more about the reserves, Fennell didn’t specify why the state wants the information.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
All this taught me to understand the daily humiliations one experiences as an exile and refugee in a world where nobody wants you.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The agency wants to fly Artemis missions at least once per year.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Those are some of the initiatives the Regional Transportation Authority wants to fund with $132 million in tax revenue for the CTA, Metra and Pace this year.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Now, McDonald’s wants to get in on the action.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Not that anyone wants to think about the present day.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Giaever who, after being called selfish by her dad, decides to offer free help to anyone who wants it.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
Sometimes one’s own true wants are infernally difficult to bear.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
November 22 – December 21 Your current spending should align with your needs more than your wants at this moment.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
This rule is a common budgeting technique that states that 50% of your post-tax income goes to needs, 30% to your wants, and 20% gets set aside for the future.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2026
That means 50% of a budget is spent on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings or debt payments.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wants
Verb
-
The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder has the short-area quickness, yards-after-the catch ability and run-blocking toughness that coach Kyle Shanahan craves.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
At times, the Heat coach craves the two-big look.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Step back, decide what needs to be said, and deliver it once with clarity and control.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Their in-game performance needs to be better.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The feature, which Barker wrote, directed and edited, is a Monkey’s Paw style tale of a young man who wishes that his friend would love him more than anything in the world, with the results ending in spooky disaster.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mohan admits she had been distracted by personal problems, and wishes Robby well on his sabbatical.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump likes Charles and royal pomp, but there are potential flashpoints, not least the administration’s recent comments about UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If your cat likes poultry or fish, pick a low-protein food with that flavor.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Industrial composting sites—big, regionalized facilities that can churn out large volumes of organic waste—are designed to speed up the composting process using heat, moisture, and carbon control, things that a simple countertop compost container lacks.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The actual severity of any shortcomings at OpenAI and how far any weaknesses could spread remain open questions, Yardeni said.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Different types of grass have different strengths and weaknesses.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While Kiawah Beachwalker Park and Freshfields Village are open to the public, access to the rest of the island requires a renter’s, owner’s, or owner’s guest pass, or a dining, golf, or hotel reservation.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Protecting water resources requires collaboration between policymakers, utilities and innovators.—
Steve Adelstein,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wants. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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