Definitions

wanting

[won-ting, wawn-] / ˈwɒn tɪŋ, ˈwɔn- /

ADJECTIVE

lacking, inadequate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deficient unfulfilled

STRONG

absent bankrupt cooked deprived disappointing empty failing gone missing needed omitted scant short shy

WEAK

away bereft burned out cut off defective destitute devoid faulty half-baked imperfect in default incomplete inferior less minus not good enough not up to par out of gas patchy poor scanty scarce sketchy substandard too little too late unsound

Antonyms

STRONG

adequate enough existing present sufficient

WEAK

perfect satisfactory

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.

Having slowly altered his view from not likely to stay, to wanting to stay, Clarke would have been pushing them for a decision pre-tournament.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

He grew up wanting to be a performer, she says, and after studying theatre in Mexico City, moved to LA to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Maybe that’s me just getting older and wanting more outside of the job.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Being a broke rapper for so long, part of the job is to put out an image that you feel represents the music, and it gets people wanting to listen.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“Happy birthday, Lexie. I know it’s not for another month, but Maverick couldn’t wait, and I know how much you’ve been wanting a dog.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing wanting

Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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Absent

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Lacking

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