It having hitherto been a deſideratum to draw ſilver wire fine enough for aſtronomical uſes, our author's improvement "conſiſts in nothing but in flattening the fineſt wires which are now drawn."
Source: wiktionary
Desideratum
/dɪˌsɪdəˈɹɑːtəm/
Synonyms for "desideratum" (82 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (17)
aimambitionanimusaspirationbare necessitiescall forcatchcounseldearest wishdemanddemand fordesiderationdesign
Noun(4 words)
Strong matches (24)
desiredeterminationeffectessentialessentialsfixed purposeforbidden fruitfunctionglimmering goalgolden visionhopeideaindispensableintendmentintentintentionlodestonemagnetmeaningmind
Show 1 more word
Related words (41)
mustmust itemnecessariesnecessitiesnecessityneedneed fornisusoccasionplanplumpointprerequirementprerequisiteprizeprojectproposalprospectuspurposerequirement
Show 16 more words
requisiterequisitionresolutionresolvesakestrivingstudytemptationthe necessarythe needfultrophyviewwantwaywillwish
Noun(5 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aim, ambition, ambition, animus, aspiration.
- Sentence evidence is available for desideratum, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "desideratum".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "desideratum"
Keep "desideratum" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "desideratum" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "desideratum", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "desideratum" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
6 entrieseducational desideratumpolicy desideratumresearch desideratumromantic idealtheoretical desideratumutopian goal
Collocations
6 entriesacademic desideratumcentral desideratumdesign desideratumpolicy desideratumresearch desideratumuniversal desideratum
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
9 total sentences available.
I shall now, agreeably to your request, endeavour to point out some of the principal Desiderata of the science of Natural History, and the most effectual means to be pursued for the Advancement of Science.
Source: wiktionary
The kettle was singing on the side, and a thin white column of smoke announced, that desideratum of tea-makers, that the water boiled at a gallop.
Source: wiktionary
Less teaching and good healing is to-day the acme of "well done;" a healing that is not guesswork, – chronic recovery ebbing and flowing, – but instantaneous cure. This absolute demonstration of Science must be revived. To consummate this desideratum, mortal mind must pass through three stages of growth.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 9 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "desideratum"?
Closest matches include aim, ambition, ambition, animus, aspiration.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "desideratum"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.