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.

Kristie Frederick Daugherty, a Swiftie, poet and author, says Swift-centric forums she's part of across Facebook, Instagram, Substack and Reddit feature fans showing "a ton of respect for the privacy that she's wanting".

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

OpenAI, wanting to control its own destiny, teamed up with Apple’s former design savant Jony Ive to make its own AI device.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

After listening to their latest album, “Vol.II,” you might find yourself wanting to do the same.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

But wanting to show “a more vulnerable side of Santos” this season, Briones worked with her own actor father, Jon Jon, to find a Filipino lullaby that she could sing to baby Jane Doe.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

We watch as these elders, once proud Jews, walk slowly behind the priest, wanting nothing but a bowl of soup and a bed after the miserable time on the road.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Vocabulary lists containing wanting

Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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Absent

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Lacking

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