covet
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Synonyms
- ache (for)
- crave
- desiderate
- desire
- die (for)
- hanker (for or after)
- hunger (for)
- itch (for)
- jones (for) [slang]
- long (for)
- lust (for or after)
- pant (after)
- pine (for)
- repine (for)
- salivate (for)
- sigh (for)
- thirst (for)
- want
- wish (for)
- yearn (for)
- yen (for)
Example Sentences
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003 The only Commandment I'd breached, besides killing that bird with my air rifle, was that I had coveted Bobby Entrekin's electric train. It blew real smoke. Mine didn't. Lewis Grizzard, Reader's Digest, January 1992 He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876 His religion warns against coveting material goods. I've been coveting that sleek sports car in the showroom for some time now. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 July 2022 The 27-year-old customer service rep in Orlando, Fla., used to covet the latest boisterous Nike Dunks, but his allegiances have shifted lately to slip-on mules. Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 19 July 2022 Facebook might covet Clubhouse, but buying it is now out of the question. Steven Levy, Wired, 12 Mar. 2021 There’s other top pass-rushers who covet the crown — eight of the last 10 winners have totaled at least 11 sacks — such as Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Chase Young, Khalil Mack, Maxx Crosby and Danielle Hunter. cleveland, 16 July 2022 Los Angeles producers covet tax credits and currency savings when coming north to shoot on soundstages in Toronto. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 June 2022 Defensive coordinators covet his size/speed combo at the MIKE linebacker position in the NFL. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2022 Defensive coordinators covet his size/speed combo at the MIKE linebacker position in the NFL. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2022 Defensive coordinators covet his size/speed combo at the MIKE linebacker position in the NFL. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English coveiten, from Anglo-French coveiter, from Vulgar Latin *cupidietare, from Latin cupiditat-, cupiditas desire, from cupidus desirous, from cupere to desire
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
covet
verb
covet
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- crave
- want
- desire
- enjoy
- desiderate
- love
- like
- prefer
- admire
- relish
- lust (for or after)
- pine (for)
- pant (after)
- repine (for)
- set one's heart on
- jones (for)
- adore
- salivate (for)
- die (for)
- hanker (for or after)
- itch (for)
- thirst (for)
- sigh (for)
- fancy
- long (for)
- wish (for)
- hunger (for)
- ache (for)
- yen (for)
- treasure
- yearn (for)
- cherish
- value
- prize
- favor
- appreciate
- dig
- spoil (for)
- groove (on)
- delight (in)
- revel (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hate
- despise
- detest
- loathe
- abhor
- refuse
- spurn
- reject
- abominate
- execrate
- decline
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of covet are crave, desire, want, and wish. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," covet implies strong envious desire.
The synonyms crave and covet are sometimes interchangeable, but crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.
The words desire and covet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.
While the synonyms want and covet are close in meaning, want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.
In some situations, the words wish and covet are roughly equivalent. However, wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.