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.

Wanting Charlie Kirk to shut up wasn’t the same as wanting him dead.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

Wanting only the best for Sir David, the duo "disappeared into her room" and used some of her finest pens to make the drawing extra special.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Wanting more from this material, though, feels better than not getting the opportunity to see it at all.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Xu Wanting, 33, who read about the new tax online, said she did not believe it would directly increase birth rates.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

Wanting to get away, she had come out today, walking.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder

Vocabulary lists containing wanting

Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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Absent

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Lacking

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