Desire
What it means
Want a valued outcome strongly enough for it to shape attention or action.
Reach for it when expressing a sincere wish without claiming that it will happen
Many residents desire a quieter street where children can cycle.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
want
Fits when plain direct language best suits the need
Careful Want can sound casual or immediate and may undersell a considered desire.
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warm
hope for
Fits when uncertainty and optimism are both important
Careful Hope includes belief in possibility; desire only establishes that the outcome is wanted.
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warm
wish for
Fits when hope is gentle and action may be outside one's control
Careful Wishing can remain fanciful, while desire may actively guide choices.
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professional
seek
Fits when active steps are already being taken toward the result
Careful Seeking implies pursuit that may not exist in a private desire.
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formal
aspire to
Fits when personal growth or achievement is the desired direction
Careful Aspiration fits elevated future goals, not ordinary objects or comforts.
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literary
long for
Fits when absence creates sustained emotional yearning
Careful The intensity is excessive for a practical preference.
Opposites 3
- reject
- dislike
- avoid
Common phrases 3
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deeply desire
They deeply desire a settlement that keeps both farms working.
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desire change
Young members desire change but still value the society's history.
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desire to learn
Applicants who desire to learn are welcome regardless of experience.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated