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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.

Ahmed: It wasn’t so much out of a kind of frustration or a desire to create work for myself or break out of a pigeonhole or anything like that.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

McKenna has been linked with the Fulham job but said his departure from Portman Road is because of his desire to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

The film is a distinctly modern rumination on the desire to shut off and watch the world go by, without forming an opinion on the horrors.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

It’s also born from a desire on the state’s part to collect as many people’s lawful votes as possible.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

Part of his desire for privacy may have been attributable to his readings.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady




Vocabulary lists containing desire


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