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desire

[dih-zahyuhr] / dɪˈzaɪər /




VERB
ask, request
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONG
WEAK
not want


Usage

What are other ways to say desire? Desire, a formal verb, suggests a strong wish: They desire liberation. Wish implies the feeling of an impulse toward attainment or possession of something; the strength of the feeling may be of greater or lesser intensity: I wish I could go home. Want, usually colloquial in use, suggests a feeling of lack or need that imperatively demands fulfillment: People all over the world want peace.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The question of whether or not to try to have a child shifted away from logistics and toward desire.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2026

Arango said it is generally strength of character and a desire to investigate.

From Barron's • Jul. 5, 2026

Denise Brown, whose Caregiving Years Training Academy certifies caregiving consultants, says Nonie’s monthlong stay demonstrated her desire to make sure her parents were all right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

There is now a clear desire from Tottenham's owners and club hierarchy to make statement signings.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

And there was nothing more dangerous than desire.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny




Vocabulary lists containing desire


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