Desires: Definition and Synonyms
desires – Definition and Part of Speech
The term desires can be used both as a noun and a verb. As a noun, “desire” refers to a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen. It embodies longing or craving, often with an emotional undertone. As a verb, it means to want or wish for (something) strongly. The verb form can appear in different tenses and grammatical forms such as “desires,” “desired,” and “desiring.”
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cravings | Often used for a more intense or urgent longing, sometimes related to physical needs like hunger. | “Her cravings for chocolate intensified as the evening approached.” | Informal/Casual |
| Yearning | Conveys deep emotional longing or wish, often with a poetic nuance. | “There was an unmistakable yearning in his voice when he spoke about home.” | Literary/Formal |
| Aspiration | More formal and goal-oriented; implies ambition towards achieving something specific. | “Her aspiration to become a doctor drove her through years of rigorous study.” | Academic/Professional |
| Wish | A desire for something not immediately attainable or less intense than other synonyms listed. | “She made a wish upon seeing the first star in the night sky.” | Casual/Friendly |
Usage Notes
- Cravings is often used in informal contexts, particularly when referring to urges related to food, habits, or hobbies.
- Yearning is ideal for literary works and contexts requiring emotional depth. It often pairs well with themes of nostalgia or longing for a person, place, or past experience.
- Aspiration suits professional and academic settings where the focus is on future goals or ambitions. This term highlights ambition and forward-thinking desire.
- Wish can be used in both formal and informal scenarios but tends to imply a more whimsical or hopeful nature of desire.
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is using these synonyms interchangeably without considering context and intensity. For instance, equating “wish” with “desire” might understate the strength of feeling that “desire” conveys in many contexts. Similarly, using “craving” in a professional setting to describe an ambition can come off as inappropriate due to its informal nature.
Final Recap
In summary, while “desires” and its synonyms like cravings, yearning, aspiration, and wish all relate to wanting something, their specific nuances dictate when each should be used. Cravings suggest urgent longing; yearnings evoke deep emotional desire; aspirations align with goal-oriented ambition; and wishes hint at hopeful desires. By understanding these distinctions, you can more effectively articulate different shades of wanting in your writing or speech.
To master the usage of desires and its synonyms, try crafting sentences using each synonym within various contexts. Engaging in conversation about personal goals and longings might also help solidify the nuances between them. As you practice, consider not just what is being desired, but how intense and purposeful that desire is. This will guide you to choose the most appropriate synonym for your intended meaning.