English Verbs Referring to "Desires"

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to desires such as "want", "crave", and "yearn".

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Verbs of Mental Processes
to want
to want [verb]

to wish to do or have something

Ex: Jane wanted to learn how to play the guitar , so she took lessons .
to wish
to wish [verb]

to desire something to occur or to be true even though it is improbable or not possible

Ex: I wish I could fly like a bird and see the world from above .
to crave
to crave [verb]

to strongly desire or seek something

Ex: I crave chocolate whenever I 'm stressed .
to like
to like [verb]

to wish for or want something, especially used with would or should as a polite formula

Ex: She 'd like to speak with you about the project .
to fancy
to fancy [verb]

to like or want someone or something

Ex: He fancies vintage cars and has a collection of classic automobiles .
to desire
to desire [verb]

to strongly want or wish for something

Ex: After a long hike , I often desire a refreshing drink .
to dream
to dream [verb]

to think about something that one desires very much

Ex: He dreams of creating a sustainable and eco-friendly business .
to hope
to hope [verb]

to want something to happen or be true

Ex: He hopes that his hard work will be recognized and rewarded .
to prefer
to prefer [verb]

to want or choose one person or thing instead of another because of liking them more

Ex: He prefers spending his weekends reading a good book rather than going to crowded events .
to favor
to favor [verb]

to prefer someone or something to an alternative

Ex: He tends to favor action movies over romantic comedies .
to aspire
to aspire [verb]

to desire to have or become something

Ex: I aspire to be a successful entrepreneur and build my own business .
to long
to long [verb]

to strongly want something, especially when it is not likely to happen soon

Ex:
to yearn
to yearn [verb]

to have a strong and continuous desire for something

Ex: They yearn for acceptance and understanding from others .
to prize
to prize [verb]

to highly value something

Ex: We should prize the beauty of nature and work towards its preservation .
to want for
to want for [verb]

to lack something necessary or desired

Ex: Growing up , they did n't want for encouragement to pursue their dreams .
to covet
to covet [verb]

to have an intense and often inappropriate desire to possess something that belongs to someone else

Ex: They covet the latest gadgets and always want to have the newest technology .
to hanker
to hanker [verb]

to have a strong, persistent desire for something

Ex: They hanker for adventure and exploration in new places .
to hunger
to hunger [verb]

to have an intense desire for something

Ex:
to need
to need [verb]

to want something or someone that we must have if we want to do or be something

Ex: She needs a ride to the airport tomorrow .
to require
to require [verb]

to need or demand something as necessary for a particular purpose or situation

Ex: To operate the machinery safely , it will require proper training .
Verbs of Mental Processes
Verbs for Cognition and Perception Verbs for Deep Thought Verbs for Having an Opinion or Tendency Verbs for Memory and Attention
Verbs for Learning Verbs for Decision-Making Verbs for Assumption and Estimation Verbs for Desires
Verbs for Making Mistakes Verbs for Prediction and Anticipation Verbs for Evasion and Prevention Verbs for Imagination
Verbs for Innovation and Creation