1 thirst | Definition of thirst

thirst

noun
\ ˈthərst How to pronounce thirst (audio) \

Definition of thirst

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids also : the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation
b : a desire or need to drink
2 : an ardent desire : craving, longing a thirst for success

thirst

verb
thirsted; thirsting; thirsts

Definition of thirst (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to feel thirsty : suffer thirst
2 : to crave vehemently and urgently thirsted for revenge thirsting after justice

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Other Words from thirst

Verb

thirster noun

Choose the Right Synonym for thirst

Verb

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain. longed for some rest yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing. yearned for a stage career hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire. always hankering for money pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible. pined for a lost love hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need. hungered for a business of his own thirsted for power

Examples of thirst in a Sentence

Noun

his thirst for knowledge is evident in his book-filled house an unquenchable thirst for travel that has led her to the far corners of the globe

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In the real-life dimensions of diners and fast-food places and hunger and thirst, America is a spectacularly generous place. Rob Long, National Review, "In Praise of Free Refills," 22 Aug. 2019 Instagram has escalated them into thirst traps of preening bodies and unicorn rafts as massive as a cruise liner. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, "Pool parties are soul-crushing spectacles of half-naked strangers posing next to an artificial swamp," 5 Aug. 2019 All the makings of the perfect thirst trap, essentially. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Mrs. Wheeler's Second Pool Outfit in Stranger Things Proves She's Done With Billy for Good," 11 July 2019 The Cast of *Little Women* As if Little Women’s cast of A-team of thirst traps wasn’t enough, Greta Gerwig had the gall to release imagery of them in period dress just as summer began. Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Forget the Song of the Summer; Pick Your Summer 2019 Crush," 5 July 2019 The same went for four of her fellow volunteers, who had just been found guilty of trying to save other human beings from dying of thirst. Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 5 July 2019 What are sneezing, yawning, hunger, thirst, and lust? Claudia Kalb, National Geographic, "Why Leonardo da Vinci’s brilliance endures, 500 years after his death," 12 June 2019 The teen dealt with hunger, thirst, and loneliness, in addition to a shark circling the rompong for a day. Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue, "Indonesian Teen Aldi Novel Adilang Survived 49 Days at Sea in a Tiny Fishing Raft," 24 Sep. 2018 Rosa Fresca: Bright thirst-quencher begins with Mexican Honey Light and is finished with hibiscus and lime for a pink, rosy hue with notes of citrus and sweetness. Nancy Ngo, Twin Cities, "Minnesota State Fair announces new beers, drinks for this year," 29 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

There has never been, in the history of the major leagues, a GM (or DBO) whose team was in the hunt for the postseason who wasn’t thirsting to make a deal. Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Giants, with surplus of lefty relievers, could move Drew Pomeranz: report," 29 July 2019 Giants ace Madison Bumgarner — who will oppose Yu Darvish on Tuesday night in a game expected to attract scouts from many teams thirsting for a front-line starter — clarified the team’s mission last week. Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs face a Giants team suddenly pushing for the playoffs rather than planning a sell-off," 22 July 2019 While some fans criticized Jonas' summer body, the majority downright thirsted over the bulkier Jonas, who was vacationing with wife Priyanka Chopra for her 37th birthday. Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, "Fans praise Nick Jonas' 'dad bod,' shut down body-shaming: 'We love Thick Nick'," 22 July 2019 For Angels fans who thirst for postseason baseball, these are meager offerings. Andy Mccullough, latimes.com, "You know what that Angels’ sweep of the Dodgers meant? Not much," 12 June 2019 And yes, there are people in the world who only thirst for clean water, frozen or not. Leslie Anne Tarabella, al.com, "An icy lesson of contentment," 18 June 2019 The cast moment was absolutely adorable, but also left me thirsting for more Sabrina drama. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "There Was a "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" Love Triangle on the 2019 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet," 16 June 2019 That evening, Cyrus and her man wore black Saint Laurent outfits while thirsting over each other on the red carpet. Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Miley Cyrus Trolls Breakup Rumors and Wished Liam Hemsworth a Happy Anniversary," 12 June 2019 Moutai’s sudden descent into its cups will shock foreigners who have thirsted for the stock in recent years, looking for a way to play the growing wealth and clout of Chinese consumers. Andrew Peaple, WSJ, "It’s Time for Moutai Investors to Hit the Bottle," 29 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thirst.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of thirst

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for thirst

Noun

Middle English, from Old English thurst; akin to Old High German durst thirst, Latin torrēre to dry, parch, Old Irish tart dryness, thirst, Greek tersesthai to become dry

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More Definitions for thirst

thirst

noun

English Language Learners Definition of thirst

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: an uncomfortable feeling that is caused by the need for something to drink
: a very great need for something to drink
literary : a strong desire for something

thirst

verb

English L