20 Other Words for "Wanting to do Something"

What words can one use to say that they want to do something or that they are ‘wanting to do something’? The phrase ‘wanting to do something’ means that one has the feeling to acquire or do something. It could also mean that the person has a need at that moment.When a person is ‘wanting to do something’, they have the desire to get, eat or do something at a time. The extent of the desire determines exactly what the person is craving and the time at which the person is craving it.Another scenario that describes ‘wanting to do something’ is when one wishes or demands something. It usually describes the strength of the intention or aim of doing a particular thing.In this article, we will be listing 20 other words that you can use instead of ‘wanting to do something’.

20 Synonyms for ‘Wanting to Do Something"

  1. Crave
  2. Wish
  3. Covet
  4. Enjoy
  5. Fancy
  6. Longing
  7. Need
  8. Require
  9. Appetite
  10. Ask
  11. Claim
  12. Enjoin
  13. Quest
  14. Desire
  15. Pining
  16. Eager
  17. Passion (for)
  18. Hunger (for)
  19. Itch (for)
  20. Yearn (for)

Crave

Other Words for Wanting to do Something"Crave" is another word you can use to express ‘wanting to do something’. When you say that you ‘crave’ something, it means that you want that thing so much and will do anything to have it. It also means to need something greatly.The word ‘crave’ is mostly used when referring to food. Thus, when someone has a strong desire to eat a particular type of food, he or she can be said to be craving it.Another meaning craving something can have is when a person asks for something seriously and consistently.Probably, he or she is not in a position to get it for him or herself, thus, he/she has to ask for it. The word ‘crave’ is a great replacement for the expression ‘wanting to do something’.

Wish

"Wish" is a great substitute word for ‘wanting to do something’. When you use the word ‘wish’, you are simply implying that you want something to happen or to be true.The possibility of both happening is unlikely and in some cases impossible, however, that will should not stop you from wishing.The word ‘wish’ also implies that the person wants to do something or that the person desperately wants something to happen. ‘Wish’ is a good alternative for the phrase ‘wanting to do something

Covet

The word ‘covet’ also describes ‘wanting to do something’. It means to want to do a particular activity very much. The very in its description communicates the extent or degree the person want wants to do such a thing.In terms of ‘covet’, the person wants it so much that even if it belongs to somebody else. It can be used in instances like these – ‘Her Vuitton heels look so pretty, I would covet any chance to wear it’, ‘I would love to work with a famous musician so much that I would covet any opportunity that presents itself’, etc.‘Covet’ is a great word to use instead of ‘wanting to do something’.

Enjoy

Enjoy’ is another great word that you can use in place of ‘wanting to do something’. It describes why someone would want to do something. A person can be said to want to do something when they feel a rush of pleasure from thinking of such an activity.If they then experience actual pleasure from that activity, then they may want to do it more often. Another good way the word ‘enjoy’ explains wanting to do something is when a person takes delight in an occasion or an activity.For instance, when a person says ‘During weekend evenings, I enjoy riding a bicycle up and down the street’ you will see from the statement that when it is weekend evening, the individual would always want to go and ride the bicycle up and down the street.

Fancy

Do you fancy riding or singing at the karaoke? Do you fancy eating pizza or drinking coffee? Do you fancy reading or writing? When you use the word ‘fancy’, you are referring to the fact that the person has a feeling of liking for that activity.When a person has a superficial attraction to performing an activity, he or she can be said to ‘fancy’ doing that. ‘Fancy’ is another great word that a person can use instead of ‘wanting to do something’ as it explains it perfectly.You can use the word ‘fancy’ in this context – ‘I am going to make some popcorn because I fancy eating popcorn while watching movie’, ‘I fancy walking my dog on Sunday evenings’, ‘I fancy a cup of coffee every morning’, etc.

Longing

Other Words for Wanting to do SomethingWhen a person is ‘wanting to do something’, they can be said to be ‘longing’ to perform that activity. The word ‘longing’ is used when the person has a yearning desire for something.It could be an activity that the person has been wanting to do for some time. Most times all a person needs to do is to show through their actions that they would very much take pleasure in performing or partaking in that activity. Most times, what a person longs for may be something that seems unattainable to him/her.Examples of when the word ‘longing’ could be used to mean ‘wanting to do something’ – ‘I have been longing for a full body massage’, ‘I have been longing to sky dive before I turned thirty’, ‘I have been longing to attend a rock concert’, etc.

Need

When using the word ‘need’ to describe an activity you want to do, it will be used in the context of importance. That is to say that the speaker wants to do that activity because it is essential to them.The extent of the want is past mere desire, it now borders on necessity or obligation. Thus, when a person is wanting to do something, they do it because it is needful.Need can be used in this context – ‘I need to find my car keys, I’m taking my daughter to the hospital’, ‘I need to find something to eat, I’m really hungry’, ‘I need to visit the hospital, I am experiencing certain negative symptoms, etc.

Require

When using ‘require’ to replace or qualify to want to do something, it is usually targeted to a particular purpose. Thus when a person requires to do something, he or she needs to do that thing to achieve a specific thing.Require can be used in the following context – ‘I need to inform the doctor, this patient requires surgery’, ‘To produce a comprehensive list, I am required to do extensive research’, ‘For me to receive a car gift, I am required to learn how to drive’, etc.

Appetite

When using the word ‘appetite’ to describe wanting to do something, it is usually targeted at satisfying a need your body needs at a specific time. It is usually a natural desire that a person has to satisfy.The desire also extends to a strong liking for something. Examples of how you can use appetite to describe wanting to do something – ‘He has a healthy appetite for good food’, ‘He has an appetite for life thus he avoids unpredictable and crazy adventures’, ‘His appetite for both men and women are the same, he may be bisexual’, etc.

Ask

Most times, it is not enough to want to do something. In a situation where you are not in the position to explore without necessary consent or permission, what do you do? You ask.That means, when you are using the word ‘ask’ to describe wanting to do something, you are simply saying something to someone because you want to obtain something from them.It can be used in these contexts – ‘Sam asked him mum for advise’, ‘Sarah always asks her father for money’, etc.

Claim

When you use claim in place of wanting to do something, you are simply demanding for something that you believe you are owed. That means you are requesting to do something because you believe it is your due.For instance, when you say, ‘She claims she is going for a group study, so she was allowed to leave the house’, or ‘She claims that they were asked to pay for the trip, so Dad gave $100’, you are using claim to explain wanting to do something.

Enjoin

Enjoin’ is another great word to use instead of wanting to do something. You use the word enjoin when you have the urge to do something, but you instruct someone else to do it.In this case, what is more important is getting the task done which means that you do not necessarily have to do it yourself.

Quest

When you are using ‘quest’, it means that you want to do something that involves searching long and hard for something. You go on a quest as a means to an end.The aim is to find something valuable after an arduous search. You can use them in the following ways – ‘To find a cure, they intensified the quest for a reliable vaccine’, ‘In a quest to keep his mother alive he pursued a career path in medicine’, ‘Scientists conduct research in the quest for truth’, etc.

Desire

Desire’ is also a great replacement for wanting to do something. You use ‘desire’ when you have a strong wish for something to happen. It comes with a deep feeling for that activity to occur.You can use ‘desire’ in the following ways – ‘She desires to become a professor, so she started her Ph.D.’, ‘He desires to increase his societal status so mingled with celebrities, etc.

Pining

Other Words for Wanting to do SomethingIn using pining to explain wanting to do something, the person longs to do something and because he or she is not in a position to do such a thing, he/she feels sad.For instance, when someone says, ‘I pine to go for Friday partying just like old days’ or ‘I pine to love again just like I did with my college sweet heart’ they are showing that they want to do a particular thing.

Eager

Eager is an interesting word to use in place of wanting to do something. It describes the extent someone will go to get something done. If the feeling is strong, then the person is said to be eager.Examples of ways you can use eager to describe wanting to do something – ‘The little girl is eager to please her elder sister’, ‘The little children were eager to hear the end of the story’, etc.

Passion (for)

When using ‘Passion (for)’ to describe wanting to do something, you are denoting that you have a strong devotion to doing some activity. It could also denote a deep liking for a thing that you do.For instance, when you say, ‘I have a passion for dancing’ or ‘I have a passion for chess’ that means you always want to do that thing.

Hunger (for)

When you hunger for something, you are eager to do that thing. This puts ‘hunger (for)’ amongst the words that a person can use in place of wanting to do something.Just like saying, ‘I have a hunger for fighting for my country’ could mean a person wants to enlist in the army and ‘Sam has a hunger for feeding the hungry’ means that Sam is generous to the less privileged.

Itch (for)

Itch (for) is also a great alternative to use when describing wanting to do something. When you itch for something, you want to do that thing very much and if possible, as soon as it is within your power.It communicates a restlessness from not performing an activity that you have a great desire to perform. Instances when you use itch for is when you are waiting to hear a news, or you are waiting for a result.

Yearn (for)

When you yearn (for) something, you have an intense desire to get something that is probably within your reach. It is a great alternative for wanting to do something.For instance, when you yearn for alcohol or new clothes, it means you want to perform a certain activity that will get you those things.

Wrap Up

Yeah! We have listed up to twenty (20) other words you can use in place of ‘wanting to do something’, so next time you want to express your desire to do something, you can pick one of the words to express yourself.

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