want
Usage
What are other ways to say want?
The verb want, usually colloquial in use, suggests a feeling of lack or need that imperatively demands fulfillment: People all over the world want peace. 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. Desire, a more formal verb, suggests a strong wish: They desire liberation.
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.
“Of course we want to do well. We want the game to grow,” U.S. star Christian Pulisic said before training Thursday in Irvine.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
Activist investors who want to force changes at underperforming closed-end funds take advantage of this rule by buying up a bunch of shares and then trying to change how the fund is run.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
Few nations want to make coaching changes before the World Cup and those that do are unlikely to offer terms that extend beyond the tournament.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
General questions like “How am I doing?” become invitations to give managers praise and reassurance, even if you emphasize that you want honest input.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
When I was little, I believed that places like these held secrets that I didn’t want to uncover.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Vocabulary lists containing want
"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
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Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 2
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