wanting
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for wanting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use wanting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
found wanting
leave much to be desired
Etymology
Came from Middle English wantyng, wantynge, wantand, equivalent to want plus -ing.
Full origin of wanting →Frequently asked questions
What does “wanting” mean?
The word “wanting” means lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected. In plain terms, falling short or missing something expected — often in the phrase "found wanting.".
How do you pronounce “wanting”?
“Wanting” is pronounced WON-tihng (/ˈwɑntɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wanting” in a sentence?
Here is “wanting” used in a sentence: “The plan was ambitious, but the execution was found wanting.”
What part of speech is “wanting”?
Depending on how it is used, “wanting” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Is “wanting” a common word?
“Wanting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wanting” have?
“Wanting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.
What does 'found wanting' mean?
To be 'found wanting' means to fall short when tested or judged — to prove inadequate. The phrase comes from the idea of weighing something and finding it lacks the required weight. For example, 'His excuses were weighed and found wanting' means they failed to convince.
What is the difference between wanting and lacking?
The two are close, and in this sense wanting means lacking. 'Lacking' plainly states that something is absent. 'Wanting' adds a sense of judgment — that what is missing was needed or expected, so the thing falls short of a standard. It often sounds more formal.
Is wanting a negative word?
In this sense, yes. Describing something as wanting means it is deficient or falls short of what was needed, which is a criticism. Note this differs from 'wanting' meaning desiring something, as in 'wanting a holiday,' which is neutral. Context makes clear which meaning applies.
