want
Usage
What are other ways to say want?
The verb want, usually colloquial in use, suggests a feeling of lack or need that imperatively demands fulfillment: People all over the world want peace. 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. Desire, a more formal verb, suggests a strong wish: They desire liberation.
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.
"We've got teams standing by, we've got lawyers standing by, very focused on that. We don't want to let anyone down, we don't want to let anything slip away, and we've seen nothing."
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
The charities behind this survey argue that the aim can't be achieved if ministers don't know the extent of the problem and want the definition of rough sleeping to be amended to reflect women's experiences.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
“But in order to have that, you need to have a strong security and defense cladding to ensure a political environment that can guarantee safety of all those who want to be nonviolent.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
"We want to bring glamour, we want to bring refinement, we want to bring grace back," Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas told AFP.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
I want to ask questions, but I restrain myself.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Vocabulary lists containing want
"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
