DESIRES Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

desires 1 of 2

noun

plural of desire

as in appeals

an earnest request at the delegate's desire, the voice vote on the controversial measure was followed by an actual roll call

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

desires

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of desire

as in craves

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requests

to make a request for the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of desires

Noun

By the end, Bobby begins to have his own wants, curiosities and desires, Luster said — all filtered through a desperation to help and connect with Dina. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Campaigns have never been more subject to the desires of the wealthy. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 None of this takes into account our more primal drives and desires, which often sit at odds with the predictability and frictionlessness of technology. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 As two formidable women go head-to-head, their battle for the soul of Longview exposes the secrets, resentments, and desires lurking beneath its picture-perfect surface. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The comments reflect a range of perspectives on a relationship dynamic where one partner, an extrovert, desires more social planning from their introverted spouse. — Emily Morman, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026 Contrary to their female counterparts, they are viewed as leaders, pursuing their inherent right to be heard and obtain all their manly desires. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Put yourself in the perspective of your prospective customer, and create a campaign that taps into their desires and their fears, their wants and their needs. — Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The agency said that while in Ukraine, the soldiers had expressed their desires to resettle in South Korea, according to Yun. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

Jaissle desires an on-field lieutenant in midfield who can provide a calm head and help guide and nurture the younger players around him. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Concerns should be raised honestly, and employees should cooperate in good faith, remembering that the new manager was hired for their experience and knowledge that the organization desires. — Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 In Cancer, Venus desires emotional safety, loyalty and genuine intimacy. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026 Your heart desires the familiar as Venus enters Pisces. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Trump’s National Security Strategy focuses intensely on the Western Hemisphere, at the expense of Asia, and the administration ardently desires a trade deal and strategic coordination with Beijing. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 Anderson's Constance Van Ness, the head of a rich mining family in the frontier town of Angel’s Ridge, desires the silver buried beneath Jasper Hollow, a tract of land partially owned by Headey's headstrong Fiona, a mother to four orphans. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desires

Noun

The curators, David Breslin and Brinda Kumar, don’t accomplish this with appeals to timeliness or relevance but with a mighty selection of pieces—more than a hundred and twenty, from eighty-two different institutions—and smart exhibition design.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Michael Rider’s Celine appeals to me for its approach to the contemporary wardrobe.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of appeals

Verb

The only thing Dudamel refuses to deliver that the audience clearly craves is a solo bow.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Delap may prove to be the most significant of all the signings, as the former Chelsea striker provides the physical presence, pace and battling qualities Glasner craves.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of craves

Noun

All six defendants were arraigned in the 37th District Court before Judge Bieda, where pleas of not guilty were entered, and a $500,000 bond was set for each suspect, with the requirement that a steel-cuff GPS tether be used if bond is posted.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Mom makes final pleas Pedraza, Sierra’s mother, walked out of the courtroom in tears Wednesday evening after completing her testimony.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleas

Verb

Tinderholt wants to lower property taxes, fully fund law enforcement, audit the budget, grow the economy and protect election integrity.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Underdog wants to give you even more joy with an offer to play $5 on the game and earn a $10 bonus bet.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of wants

Verb

For now, the vouchers remain available while Ohio seeks Supreme Court review.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
In addition to responding to real-time emergencies, the Street Overdose Response Team seeks to establish relationships with people on the street using drugs.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of seeks

Noun

One community member told Fox News Digital that some congregations had even canceled afternoon prayers on the Sabbath as demonstrations across France descended into violence.

— Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Obeying Christ, the soon-to-be disciples got a hands-on lesson in the power of deeper, more humble prayers rather than surface-level efforts.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of prayers

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“Desires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desires. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of desires

noun

verb

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