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.

The audience at the reviewed performance kept wanting to applaud one side or another.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

With Panama wanting to apply some forward pressure, making a run in behind against their momentum was incredibly effective.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

At least this Paris paycheck gig will bolster her finances — and get her ready for the feature film she’s been wanting to make for years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

U.S. investors wanting to spread their bets on the memory boom will soon have the option of also investing in SK Hynix as it plans to list American depositary receipts next month.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

Grandma’s table sat beside the donut cart, which only made my wanting worse.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Vocabulary lists containing wanting

Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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Absent

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Lacking

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