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Exploring the many synonyms of “desire” is like unlocking a treasure trove of the English language, each word offering a subtle nuance to this complex emotion. Understanding and using these synonyms can enrich our conversations and writing, giving us the power to convey our emotions with greater clarity and richness.
Desire Synonyms
What Is “Desire ”?
Desire is a noun that often signifies a strong wish or inclination towards something. It encompasses a range of emotions and intensities, from a casual want to an intense longing.
List of Synonyms for Desire
- Yearning
- Craving
- Longing
- Urge
- Hunger
- Thirst
- Appetite
- Lust
- Passion
- Wish
- Aspiration
- Need
- Fancy
- Whim
- Inclination
- Drive
- Ambition
- Itch
- Hankering
- Pining
- Coveting
- Eagerness
- Enthusiasm
- Zeal
- Ardor
- Infatuation
- Obsession
- Avidity
- Fervor
- Greed
- Appetency
- Burning
- Aching
- Dream
- Hope
- Motivation
- Impulse
- Compulsion
- Proclivity
- Propensity
- Penchant
- Predilection
- Fondness
- Love
- Affection
- Attraction
- Devotion
- Partiality
- Taste
- Relish
- Zest
- Keenness
- Interest
- Bent
- Bias
- Fixation
- Mania
- Fascination
- Rapture
- Enamorment
- Besottedness
- Swoon
- Yearn
- Quest
- Pursuit
- Aim
- Goal
- Objective
- Target
- Intention
- Purpose
- Calling
- Vocation
- Mission
- Vision
- Aspire
- Seek
- Strive
- Endeavor
- Solicitude
- Liking
- Preference
- Appetence
- Thirstiness
- Will
- Volition
- Sighing
- Nostalgia
- Wistfulness
- Yen
- Insatiable
- Wanting
- Requirement
- Necessity
- Prurience
- Concupiscence
- Libido
- Lechery
- Lasciviousness
- Eroticism
- Sensuality
- Sentiment
- Tenderness
- Warmth
- Enchantment
- Allurement
- Magnetism
- Charm
- Captivation
- Draw
- Pull
- Enticement
- Temptation
- Seduction
- Allure
- Beguilement
- Engrossment
- Absorption
- Immersion
- Involvement
- Engagement
- Preoccupation
- Hang-up
- Idée fixe
- Addiction
- Craze
- Fad
- Vogue
- Trend
- Rage
- Spirit
- Vigor
- Vitality
- Energy
- Dynamism
- Initiative
- Enterprise
- Determination
- Resolution
- Resolve
- Steadfastness
- Tenacity
- Persistence
- Perseverance
- Doggedness
- Single-mindedness
- Purposefulness
- Intent
- Design
- Plan
- Scheme
- Strategy
- Plot
- Machination
- Intrigue
- Fantasy
- Reverie
- Daydream
- Hallucination
- Delusion
- Illusion
- Mirage
Types of Synonyms for Desire
The term “desire” can be expressed through an array of synonyms, each bringing its own flavor to convey different levels and contexts of desire. Below we categorize some notable synonyms:
General Yearning
- Longing
- Craving
- Appetite
Emotional Intensity
- Passion
- Zeal
- Yearning
Romantic Connotations
- Lust
- Infatuation
- Attraction
Aspirational Desires
- Ambition
- Aspiration
- Motive
Common Synonyms for Desire
Desire vs. Want
Desire often connotes a deeper, more emotional longing, whereas want is a more general term for wishing to possess or do something.
- The artist’s desire to create meaningful work fueled her passion for painting.
- His want for adventure led him to explore far-off lands and new experiences.
Desire vs. Need
Need suggests a requirement essential to life or well-being, which is inherently more pressing than the often emotional or aspirational nature of desire.
- Despite having a successful career, she harbored a secret desire to abandon city life and live on a farm.
- The stranded hiker needed immediate medical attention after being rescued.
Desire vs. Wish
While desire implies a strong feeling of wanting, wish tends to carry a tone of hopefulness, often without expectation of fulfillment.
- The entrepreneur’s desire for success drove him to work long hours and take bold risks with his startup.
- On her birthday, she closed her eyes and made a silent wish before blowing out the candles.
Desire vs. Dream
Dream can refer to an aspiration or a cherished ambition, typically bigger and longer-term than a desire, which might be more fleeting or immediate.
- After a week of dieting, his desire for a slice of chocolate cake became almost unbearable.
- They shared a common dream of traveling the world together, exploring one country at a time.
Synonyms for Desire in Different Contexts
Emotional Longing
We often talk about desire as a deep emotional longing. In such contexts, we might use words like:
- Yearning: We felt a yearning to see our hometown again.
- Craving: After months at sea, we had a strong craving for the comfort of our own beds.
Physical Needs
Desire also relates to physical or material needs:
- Hunger: We often experience a hunger for knowledge.
- Thirst: On a hot day, our thirst for water is unquenchable.
Aspiration and Ambition
When referring to goals or aspirations, desire takes on different synonyms:
- Ambition: Our ambition to climb the corporate ladder was unmistakable.
- Aspiration: We hold a collective aspiration to make our community greener.
Wish or Request
At times, we express desire as a wish or a polite request:
- Wish: I expressed a wish to join the committee.
- Request: Our request to postpone the meeting was granted.
Passionate Longing
And, of course, desire can be a passionate longing or need:
- Passion: Our passion for painting brings us together every weekend.
- Lust: The novel depicted the characters’ lust for life in vibrant colors.
Absolute and Near Synonyms of Desire
Absolute Synonyms for Desire
| Synonym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Urge | A strong need or impulse to act |
| Craving | A powerful desire for something |
| Longing | A yearning desire, especially for something lost |
| Thirst | A strong desire for a particular thing or state |
| Hunger | A strong need or desire |
| Passion | A very strong feeling or enthusiasm |
| Yearning | A deep longing for something or someone |
Near Synonyms for Desire
| Synonym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Appetite | An eager desire, especially for food or satisfaction |
| Ambition | A strong drive for success or achievement |
| Wish | A hope or aspiration for something |
| Aspiration | A hope or ambition of achieving something |
| Lust | An intense or overpowering desire, often sexual |
| Hankering | A strong, often persistent desire |
| Itch | An uncomfortable desire or craving |
Synonyms for Also with Examples | Infographic
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some alternative words for ‘desire’?
Synonyms for “desire” include “longing,” “craving,” and “appetite.” These terms can be used interchangeably depending on the context of your sentences.
How would you express a strong craving using a different term?
A strong craving can be described using terms like “yearning” or “hunger.” Both suggest a deep and powerful need or want.
Can you list a synonym for ‘wish’?
Certainly, “wish” can be synonymous with “hope” or “aspiration.” These words convey a desire for something that may not be present.
Is there a slang term that conveys the meaning of ‘desire’?
In informal language, “hankering” is a slang term often used to express a strong desire or craving for something.
What’s another way to say ‘strong desire’?
“Passion” is a fitting term to convey a strong desire, indicating a compelling emotion towards an object, concept or activity.
What term describes an intense yearning or longing?
The term “urge” captures the essence of an intense yearning or longing, often one that is difficult to resist.
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