English Language & Usage Asked on April 25, 2021
Is there a single verb that means “do not want”?
E.g. “I want that object” or “I want to do this” vs. “I _____ (do not want) that object” or “I _____ (do not want) to do this”?
Also in the case of casual writing, when you might write “Let’s not talk about what you want/don’t want, let’s take action instead” or “Let’s not talk about what you do or do not want, let’s take action instead”, is there a single-word opposite of “want” that could be dropped in and used in combination with “want” in that type of sentence?
I might choose abhor,
abhor verb
to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.
Or, detest, loathe or despise
despise verb
to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust, or disdain; scorn; loathe.
Answered by Elliott Frisch on April 25, 2021
The term eschew means
to keep away from (something harmful or disliked); shun; avoid; abstain from
However, it seems a bit more active than the obverse of want.
Answered by bib on April 25, 2021
Consider using dislike.
I dislike that broom.
I dislike sweeping the floor.
Answered by user58244 on April 25, 2021
reject seems like the closest opposite but it depends on the context. There is no exact opposite of "want".
reject: to refuse to take something, for example because it is damaged or is not what you wanted
reject: to refuse to accept, acknowledge, use, believe, etc
I think it covers most of the senses of "not wanting".
"disincline" would fit also (again, it is not an exact opposite). It covers different levels of unwillingness and it is both transitive and intransitive.
to make or be unwilling, reluctant, or averse
Although, "diswant" would be a nice neologism.
There is also an interesting approach regarding to semantic primitives from the book "Semantics : Primes and Universals By Anna Wierzbicka":
Answered by 0.. on April 25, 2021
Some of the responses are a bit too strong to be opposites of want. I voted for dislike, but I'll also suggest avoid.
- To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor not to meet; to shun; to abstain from.
In your examples "I avoid that object" and "I avoid doing that" seem to fit nicely as opposites to want.
Answered by ghoppe on April 25, 2021
Consider "exclude," "detest," and "execrate."
exclude: consider that something is not worth attention.
E.g.
In business and in life, we can get forward by doing things others exclude [=don't want] to do.
detest: to abhor; dislike intensely.
Let the child -- say, a daughter -- be happy, let her be miserable, let her deeply desire this or deeply detest that.
execrate: to detest utterly.
What scope is there for the stronger emotions if the orator is not to his speech, to flame out in anger, to reproach, to wish or to execrate?
Answered by Elian on April 25, 2021
How about the verb 'to resent sth', 'to resent doing sth', 'to resent sb doing sth'?
Here is what the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English says:
resent /ri'zent/ [transitive]
to feel angry or upset about a situation or about something that someone has done, especially because you think that it is not fair; resent (somebody) doing something; bitterly/deeply/strongly resent
I resented having to work such long hours.
She bitterly resented his mother's influence over him.
Paul resented the fact that Carol didn't trust him.
I resented having (= did not want to have) to work such long hours.
She bitterly resented (= did not at all want) his mother's influence over him.
Paul resented the fact that Carol didn't (= did not want Carol not to) trust him.
Of course you cannot resent something that does not exist, whereas you can 'not want' it.
I do not want a third world war. * I resent a third world war. *
but then, just adding the phrase 'the idea of' does the trick:
I do not want (= resent the idea of) a third world war.
Answered by user58319 on April 25, 2021
It's a stretch.... BUT they are single-words
Repudiate and refuse
I repudiate + [noun] = I repudiate prosperity
I want to [verb] = I want to go
I refuse to [verb] = I refuse to go
Let's not talk about what you want or repudiate, let's take action instead
Let's not talk about what you want to do or refuse to do, let's take action instead
Answered by Mari-Lou A on April 25, 2021
I read a lot of the answers here, and many people suggested 'abhor' or 'reject.' These words don't really reverse 'want,' though, because they add so much negative emotion. 'Diswant' is a lovely word, I wish it was real.
"Do you want to go for a walk in the lovely sunshine instead of reading that silly old Jane Austen book?"
"No, I diswant to go for a walk, and I want to read." - what I want to say. "No, I abhor going for a walk, and I want to read." - too much vehemence about the walk "No, I reject your offer to walk, I want to read." - rejection of the person? how rude.
Answered by Sylvia on April 25, 2021
Everyone is taking the wrong approach to the question, " What is the opposite of 'want'"? The negative is not necessarily the opposite, i.e. want and not want. The opposite of want is "need". You're welcome
Answered by corey parsons on April 25, 2021
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