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.
Ypsomed’s Michel, who’s also a national center-right politician, has proposed a 10,000 franc fee, or about $12,500, for businesses that want to employ EU citizens, to encourage them to recruit and train Swiss people.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Ella earns over £30,000 but some of her friends earn more and she finds it hard to say no if they want to go somewhere a bit fancy that she can't really afford.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
"We want to be a real force in this tournament," he told AFP.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
“I want to thank Dan for leading the finance organization that will support Adobe’s next chapter of growth in the AI era, and wish him all the best,” he added.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
“So, you don’t want it?” she asks, taking the plate away.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Vocabulary lists containing want
"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
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Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 2
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