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Definitions

desire

[dih-zahyuhr] / dɪˈzaɪər /




VERB
ask, request
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONG
WEAK
not want


Usage

What are other ways to say desire? Desire, a formal verb, suggests a strong wish: They desire liberation. Wish implies the feeling of an impulse toward attainment or possession of something; the strength of the feeling may be of greater or lesser intensity: I wish I could go home. Want, usually colloquial in use, suggests a feeling of lack or need that imperatively demands fulfillment: People all over the world want peace.

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 president earlier this week signaled his desire to aid Spirit and its employees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Parker, Edge, Clemson — The Patriots have made no secret about their desire to beef up their rush off the edges.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Energy-rich Turkmenistan, one of the world's most reclusive and sealed-off states, has stated its desire to diversify its exports towards Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Andrew, 37, doesn’t even recall trying to claim it, but said he had a desire to come out of the divorce feeling like he had won.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

“It’s not this kind of club, to put it lightly. I have no desire to go back there.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros




Vocabulary lists containing desire