crave
verb
ˈkrāv 
craved; craving
transitive verb
1
: to ask for earnestly : beg, demand
crave a pardon for neglect
2
a
: to want greatly : need
craves drugs
craves attention
b
: to yearn for
crave a vanished youth
intransitive verb
: to have a strong or inward desire
craves after affection
craver noun
Synonyms
- ache (for)
- covet
- 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)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Like many celebrities, he craves attention. I was craving french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.
Recent Examples on the Web Recent studies have provided new insights into why the desert sand rat might crave the salty sap of glasswort. 
Richard Johnson, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2022 Recent studies have provided new insights into why the desert sand rat might crave the salty sap of glasswort. The Conversation, oregonlive, 22 Aug. 2022 Still, as consumers crave convenience and new flavors, ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity in recent years. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 2 Aug. 2022 One employee might prefer private praise, while another might crave public recognition. Alex Olley, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Even in an era when many consumers have migrated away from traditional TV to on-demand streaming video, sports telecasts continue to generate the large, live audiences that TV networks and advertisers crave. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2022 But even as change accelerates, humans continue to crave stability and familiarity. Reid Hoffman, WSJ, 20 May 2022 Palin’s political celebrity has faded substantially in recent years, which only pushed her to crave the spotlight more. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 8 Apr. 2022 Humans evolved to crave sweet tastes to get the nutrients needed to survive. Jennifer Rooke, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2022 See More
Richard Johnson, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2022 Recent studies have provided new insights into why the desert sand rat might crave the salty sap of glasswort. The Conversation, oregonlive, 22 Aug. 2022 Still, as consumers crave convenience and new flavors, ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity in recent years. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 2 Aug. 2022 One employee might prefer private praise, while another might crave public recognition. Alex Olley, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Even in an era when many consumers have migrated away from traditional TV to on-demand streaming video, sports telecasts continue to generate the large, live audiences that TV networks and advertisers crave. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2022 But even as change accelerates, humans continue to crave stability and familiarity. Reid Hoffman, WSJ, 20 May 2022 Palin’s political celebrity has faded substantially in recent years, which only pushed her to crave the spotlight more. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 8 Apr. 2022 Humans evolved to crave sweet tastes to get the nutrients needed to survive. Jennifer Rooke, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja to crave, demand
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
crave
verb
ˈkrāv
craved; craving
1
: to want greatly : long for
crave chocolate
The stray dog craved affection.
2
: to ask for earnestly
"Sire, there is a messenger from the enemy who craves audience." C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobecraves
verb
as in wants
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy craves ice cream at all hours of the day Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- wants
- enjoys
- covets
- desires
- loves
- prefers
- likes
- relishes
- desiderates
- admires
- thirsts (for)
- lusts (for or after)
- adores
- itches (for)
- fancies
- sets one's heart on
- wishes (for)
- salivates (for)
- hungers (for)
- joneses (for)
- hankers (for or after)
- pines (for)
- sighs (for)
- pants (after)
- dies (for)
- yearns (for)
- appreciates
- yens (for)
- longs (for)
- repines (for)
- cherishes
- aches (for)
- favors
- values
- spoils (for)
- treasures
- digs
- grooves (on)
- prizes
- delights (in)
- revels (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hates
- despises
- abhors
- loathes
- detests
- refuses
- rejects
- spurns
- abominates
- declines
- execrates