1
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
2
as in passion
sexual appetite
ads for drugs that increase desire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
1
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
2
as in to seek
to make a request for
the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
However, gold remains the most historically consistent and desired precious metal.
—Marc Guberti, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
This is hardly the stuff of the more ethical world that Mishra claims to desire.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
However, gold remains the most historically consistent and desired precious metal.
—Marc Guberti, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desire
Noun
-
Use silence in meetings—Resist the urge to fill pauses immediately.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
That urge told her to cover the painting in a red-purple scumble.—
Adam Moss,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
During the interview, Jacquemus spoke at length about his passion for perfume and his impatience to finally land on counter.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The artists respected Julian; loved to come to play for him sensing his profound love and passion for music.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
One unexpected development is that Reddit, long dogged by a reputation for mischief and mayhem, has achieved a kind of mass appeal.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
-
For Shirazi, part of the appeal of government work was the security.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2025
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
-
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
-
The prospective partners in Germany's next government are seeking to loosen the nation's rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
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
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desire. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share