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.
Naturally, you want to avoid drawing it down too quickly, which means carefully coordinating withdrawals from your retirement accounts with your Social Security claiming strategy.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
"None of them want to serve," he said.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
“You can tell they want to be world champions.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
"It means parents and primary carers can come in and have the dignity of choosing the clothes that they want for their kids," he said.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
I asked how she lost her gift, and she said it was grown-up stuff and she didn’t want to talk about it.
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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