1
as in wrong
falling short of a standard
we tried her cooking and found it to be very wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
at this time of year food for many wild animals is wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absent
not present or in evidence
grass is almost entirely wanting in that arid wasteland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in craving
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
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 wishing
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in liking
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
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 wanting
Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
John Fugelsang
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
But the same respondents were also very dug in on their beliefs and not wanting to compromise them.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with wanting to create a ton of turnovers, the Kings are also going to want to maximize their opportunities in transition.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In my speech, wanting to tell the story about the women that helped me in my hometown.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The documentary keeps wanting to treat Noam as just a father and grandfather rescuing his family, a reminder of the Israeli victims of 10/7 and the hostages still being held in Gaza.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Michôd says that Sweeney was initially tentative about Martin's involvement, wanting to protect her own creative space, but opened up upon realizing that Martin wasn't going to try and control her performance.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
For those wanting to maintain hydration and reduce frizz, Jamerson suggests rod sets, flat twists, and low-tension sew-ins.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
During the season, Ainsley mentions wanting to attend Texas Tech and studying philanthropy.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Verdon demanded much of herself and of others, in her relationships, in her work, and Williams captured that hunger, along with the vulnerability that so much wanting lays bare.
—Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Verb
Many choose to interpret this story as God wanting firm borders.
—John Fugelsang
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
But the same respondents were also very dug in on their beliefs and not wanting to compromise them.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with wanting to create a ton of turnovers, the Kings are also going to want to maximize their opportunities in transition.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In my speech, wanting to tell the story about the women that helped me in my hometown.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The documentary keeps wanting to treat Noam as just a father and grandfather rescuing his family, a reminder of the Israeli victims of 10/7 and the hostages still being held in Gaza.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Michôd says that Sweeney was initially tentative about Martin's involvement, wanting to protect her own creative space, but opened up upon realizing that Martin wasn't going to try and control her performance.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
For those wanting to maintain hydration and reduce frizz, Jamerson suggests rod sets, flat twists, and low-tension sew-ins.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
During the season, Ainsley mentions wanting to attend Texas Tech and studying philanthropy.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
Parasite The first non-English language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, Bong Joon-ho's Parasite centers on the Kims, who live on the wrong side of the tracks in Seoul, South Korea.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Joveljic stepped up and placed the penalty kick into his right-hand corner, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver dove the wrong way.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.—
Sofi Zeman
August 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And in Longo’s image, the subtext is the absent laborer.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If students were not in class, they would be marked absent but would be excused if a parent called them out.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Preposition
-
Scientists also revealed that a breakthrough allows ULIS to function wirelessly, as an isolated unit that can be controlled and monitored without external cables.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Lerner believes that without smarter management, enterprises will face spiraling bills and strained infrastructure.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While Gaines’ own attempt didn’t go as planned this time, the recipe remains a tried-and-true favorite for anyone craving a classic chocolate layer cake.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
With employees consistently craving challenge and purpose, the Great Lock In offers a chance to revisit career goals, build momentum and finish the year stronger, whether that means preparing for a promotion, exploring a career pivot or taking first steps toward a side hustle.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The correct legal contract tailored to your business requirements by a qualified attorney can greatly aid in preserving your assets in contrast to needing to engage in a legal battle to defend them.—
Michael Gargiulo,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement Train managers to lead without needing proof Second, all employers should prepare their managers for how to approach immigration issues in advance.—
Jenn Tardy,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Festival is an ideal place for those wishing for a warm welcome – but cold.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
King Charles and Prince Harry have been taking steps towards reconciliation, but everyone understands that, after the issues the two have had, ending their feud isn’t just a matter of wishing it.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Not keke not liking the gays Chile !—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Too inconsistent for Andoni Iraola’s liking, only averaging a goal or assist every 175 minutes in all competitions last season, his talent isn’t in doubt, but can Keith Andrews turn Brentford’s record signing into a top-level Premier League player?—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share