1
as in wrong
falling short of a standard
we tried her cooking and found it to be very wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
at this time of year food for many wild animals is wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absent
not present or in evidence
grass is almost entirely wanting in that arid wasteland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in craving
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy
I want a new car so badly!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
that stray cat wants food and a clean place to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wishing
to see fit
do what you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in liking
to wish to have
I want some ice cream for dessert, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanting
Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Adjective
Verdon demanded much of herself and of others, in her relationships, in her work, and Williams captured that hunger, along with the vulnerability that so much wanting lays bare.
—Susan Dominus Susan Dominus Photographs By Luis Alberto Rodriguez Styled By Charlotte Collet Nick Haramis Photographs By Lise Sarfati Styled By Suzanne Koller Sasha Weiss Photographs By Justin French Adam Bradley Photographs By D’angelo Lovell Williams Styled By Ian Bradley, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2022
Maybe our poor and wanting selves are our only authentic ones, and all others performances of convenience or necessity.
—Rafia Zakaria, The New Republic, 5 May 2022
Don’t let your husband convince you that being needy and wanting affection are the same thing.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021
Lucero really has nowhere else to go but up after a subpar performance against a wanting pass defense and has the talent and poise to lead the offense in Tyler Johnston’s absence.
—Evan Dudley, al, 29 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanting
Adjective
-
But even putting O’Brien on notice would be an attempt to intimidate and silence a critic, which is plainly wrong.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2025
-
For affluent Latino parents Enrique and Ilana Gomez, this moment goes hilariously wrong from the start, when their daughter Yoli invites her Mexican-born intended Marcos over to the family’s Pasadena home for dinner.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Presence Sometimes what’s absent from a film defines it as much as what’s present.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
China's defense minister was absent from this year's event and sent a lower-level delegation instead.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Preposition
-
Meghan posted photos of their food, which included corn dogs and pickle slices, but, of course, no birthday can be complete without a birthday cake.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Two months into the season, Hoerner is putting up some of the best numbers of his career, even without slugging a home run.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
That is the difference-making play the Senators have been craving in net, and it’s helped push them into the playoff race.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Bal Harbor Shops is creating experiences, which is what Millennials, who wield the wallet power today, are craving.—
Sharon Edelson,
Forbes,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And sometimes the soldiers can do things which are totally unacceptable and can be called crimes.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
-
Tools that pose an unacceptable threat to rights or safety are banned outright.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
California's Regulatory Actions California revised its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) targets, now requiring that 60% of electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, as a step towards its 2045 goal of 100% clean energy.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
In Florida, Our Children’s Trust brought its latest case because there still are provisions in the law requiring state agencies to prioritize renewable energy, Rodgers said.—
Amy Green,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Quesadillas These sheet pan chicken fajita quesadillas are a hassle-free way to make a crowd-pleasing meal without standing over the stove.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Instead, lean into what feels good, and if that’s pleasing your boo above all else, that may tell you something.—
Quispe López,
Them,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But mid-majors with double-digit seeds are worth enjoying on occasion.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Bring the mixture to a boil and let cool before enjoying.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanting. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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