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.

Park has emphasized her advocacy for fire recovery efforts, including pushing for permit fee waivers for residents wanting to rebuild.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

This could be, for example, wanting to communicate with family or to travel to a particular country or region.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

When Russia invaded in 2022, Sevidov stopped taking photographs for two years -- not wanting to pursue his "hobby" while many of his friends were going off to war.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

“I don’t think it’s a willful conspiracy, but we lean toward wanting to help.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

I ask him, wanting to look at Theo and then finding it too much when I do.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Vocabulary lists containing wanting

Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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Absent

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Lacking

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