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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.

See Examples For:

Museveni's son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has made no secret of his desire for the top job, announcing -- then retracting -- his intention to run multiple times over the years.

From Barron's Aug. 27, 2026

What is unarguable is that it was a total capitulation, a feeble collapse in the face of LASK's physicality and desire and belief.

From BBC Aug. 26, 2026

Or, perhaps, his attorney’s desire to get paid was such that he went ahead and settled, without any instruction from his client.

From MarketWatch Aug. 26, 2026

But the desire to put the world on stage has become exceedingly difficult to economically pull off.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 26, 2026

She was the dream, born out of such longing and stubborn desire to live and breathe free that she could not die.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

As James notes, "Our actions feel like they are caused by decisions based on desires, beliefs, and intentions."

From Science Daily Aug. 25, 2026

Marvell Technology reports earnings this week but Wall Street desires more details on a recently announced agreement with Google.

From Barron's Aug. 24, 2026

But such great champions are, of course, born competitors who have insatiable desires to win matches - and Grand Slam trophies.

From BBC Aug. 22, 2026

To extricate itself, Unilever eventually transferred to the Israeli licensee the assets needed to sell Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel and its territories—for as long as he desires.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 15, 2026

Nevertheless, as she fussed and fumed about my wicked desires, I kept my expression pleasant, the same as 1 did in the halls of Central High in order to avoid expulsion.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Social media fuelled a spike in interest over recent years – with her museum's bold floral shapes and shiny steel orbs turning into a desired backdrop for selfies and poses.

From BBC Aug. 27, 2026

Laser light continuously travels through both parts of the system, helping the desired optical states form and remain stable.

From Science Daily Aug. 24, 2026

You can do the exercises at home, with little to no equipment, and you can easily progress with hand-held weights, if desired.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 18, 2026

In other words, your ability to retire is entirely dependent on your expenses and your desired income.

From MarketWatch Aug. 10, 2026

The Crown Prince’s silence was not her desired effect.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Huckabee reportedly told embassy staff in an email there was "no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".

From BBC Feb. 27, 2026

Talk about two old school dishes that are doable, theoretically, for home chefs desiring to replicate the former dining experience in their more modest castles.

From Salon Nov. 1, 2025

The motivations for septuagenarian entrepreneurs include desiring autonomy, pursuing meaningful projects and addressing societal needs.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 2, 2025

But Southwest said it had listened to customers who sought more options, often desiring more comfortable, premium seats when they took longer flights.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 25, 2024

Elévée picked at the short sleeve of her school uniform, evidently not desiring to talk about fashion.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver




Vocabulary lists containing desire


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