desiring

verb

present participle of desire
1
as in craving
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy he greatly desired a new mountain bike for his next birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in seeking
to make a request for the host desires a response to the dinner invitation by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desiring Simply desiring to change the United States’ habit of waging war has not been enough to change it. — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026 But Newcastle intend to use the proceeds from the Tonali sale to reinvest in their squad, with Howe desiring a goalkeeper, at least one full-back, two midfielders (should Joe Willock also leave) and at least one attacker. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Yes, a few reward-like mechanisms are in the thin layer of the models built through reinforcement learning, but the models are overwhelmingly about predicting, not desiring. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Beachgoers seeking relief from the recent heat or simply desiring a walk near the ocean have been met over the past week with advisories to stay away and, barring that, warnings to be extremely cautious around waves that have proven tragically powerful along Bay Area coasts. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 19 June 2026 London joined the organization in 2018, desiring to bring a chapter of the guild to his community in Seattle. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 16 June 2026 Employees who live outside the city — or anyone else desiring to park for an extended time in downtown Hudson — can get a downtown parking permit for $200 annually, or $20 a month, according to the city’s website. — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026 If desiring a man was a distraction at best and a disgrace at worst for decades, then when were you meant to learn about men? — Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026 Huxley suggests that the only people on whom immortality would not be wasted are those who have already ceased desiring it. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desiring
  1. craving
  2. seeking
  3. wanting
  4. requesting
Verb
  • The discomfort often has less to do with craving a drink and more to do with how deeply drinking is woven into adult social life.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
  • These individuals may use more marijuana than intended, spend substantial time obtaining or craving it and continue to use it despite physical and psychological problems.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of craving
Verb
  • The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore are seeking to pause an order requiring it to provide records in lawsuit with Inspector General while the city appeals.
    — Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Netflix has worked assiduously to burnish its reputation as a home for advertisers seeking to align themselves with its popular programs and eager to avoid the traditional model of deploying typical 30-second commercials.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of seeking
Verb
  • For retailers and brands wanting to tap in, differentiation will rely on newness and innovation.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The extension seems unlikely based on what McBride should want (and likely can get from another team) and New York wanting to keep as much flexibility as possible.
    — James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of wanting
Verb
  • Following her disappearance, Goods’ family told KTNV that someone started responding to messages using her phone, requesting money and Bitcoin.
    — Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Estime-Irvin did not immediately return phone calls requesting comment.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of requesting

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desires
desiring
desirous
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Cite this Entry

“Desiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desiring. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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