Quick Answer
The closest synonyms of coveted are desired, sought-after, much-desired, longed-for, wanted, wished-for, desirable, and in demand. However, they are not exact substitutes in every sentence. Sought-after stresses strong demand, prized stress value, longed-for stresses long-lasting desire, and envy suggests wanting what someone else has.
What Does Coveted Mean?
Coveted means strongly wanted or greatly desired, especially when something is valuable, attractive, prestigious, limited, or wanted by many people.
For example:
She won the coveted scholarship.
This suggests that the scholarship was highly desirable and that many students wanted it.
The word often appears with things that people compete for, such as awards, jobs, titles, positions, prizes, scholarships, tickets, roles, and opportunities.
The strongest dictionary evidence supports this core idea. Collins lists desired, longed-for, sought-after, in demand, wanted, and wished for among its synonyms for coveted.
Simple definition
Coveted = strongly desired, especially because something is valuable, desirable, prestigious, or difficult to obtain.
Pronunciation of Coveted
British English
/ˈkʌv.ɪ.tɪd/
Approximate pronunciation:
KUV-ih-tid
American English
/ˈkʌv.ə.t̬ɪd/
Approximate pronunciation:
KUV-uh-tid
The spelling is the same in British and American English. The pronunciation of the middle syllable can differ slightly.
Part of Speech
Coveted is the past tense and past participle of the verb covet.
It is also commonly used as an adjective.
Verb
The athlete coveted the championship title.
Here, coveted is the past tense of covet.
Adjective
The athlete won the coveted championship title.
Here, coveted describes the title.
Word family
- covet — verb
- coveted — past tense / past participle
- coveting — present participle
- covetous — adjective
- covetousness — noun
Grammar and Usage
The most common adjective pattern is:
coveted + noun
Examples:
- coveted award
- coveted position
- coveted title
- coveted role
- coveted prize
- coveted scholarship
- coveted opportunity
- coveted ticket
You can also use:
highly coveted + noun
She received a highly coveted research grant.
Or:
one of the most coveted + noun
It is one of the most coveted awards in the industry.
Important grammar point
Do not assume that coveted simply means liked.
The restaurant is popular.
means many people like or choose it.
The restaurant is coveted.
suggests that people strongly want something associated with it, such as a reservation, location, or opportunity.
That difference is important for accurate writing.
Quick Comparison of the Best Synonyms
| Synonym | Core idea | Register | Approx. learner level |
| Desired | wanted | Neutral/Formal | B1–B2 |
| Sought-after | wanted by many | Neutral/Formal | B2 |
| Longed-for | strongly wanted for a long time | Neutral/Literary | B2 |
| Much-desired | strongly wanted | Formal | B2–C1 |
| Wanted | wished to have | Neutral | A1–A2 |
| Wished-for | hoped for | Neutral/Literary | B2 |
| Desirable | worth wanting | Neutral/Formal | B2 |
| In demand | strongly wanted or needed | Business/Neutral | B1–B2 |
| Prized | highly valued | Neutral/Formal | B2 |
| Enviable | desirable enough to cause envy | Formal/Neutral | B2–C1 |
| Envied | wanted because someone else has it | Neutral | B2 |
| Craved | wanted intensely | Neutral | B2 |
| Yearned for | wanted with deep emotion | Literary/Neutral | B2–C1 |
| Aspired to | wanted as a goal | Formal/Academic | B2–C1 |
| Desired by many | strongly wanted by a group | Neutral/Formal | B1–B2 |
Note: CEFR levels above are approximate learner guidance, not official fixed CEFR classifications for each word.
1. Desired
Meaning: Wanted or wished for.
The company achieved its desired result.
She finally reached her desired goal.
Best used when: You simply mean that someone wants something.
Tone: Neutral to formal
Frequency: Very common
Register: Academic, business, everyday
Common collocations
- desired result
- desired outcome
- desired effect
- desired goal
Nuance
Desired is broader than coveted. It does not automatically suggest that many people want the same thing.
Coveted:
He won the coveted award.
Desired:
He achieved the desired result.
When not to use it
Do not use desire if you specifically need to communicate competition, rarity, or strong public demand.
2. Sought after
Meaning: Wanted by many people because of its quality, value, or attractiveness.
She is a sought-after marketing consultant.
The university offers a highly sought-after degree.
Best used when: Something attracts strong demand.
Tone: Neutral/Formal
Frequency: Common
Register: Business, journalism, professional English
CEFR: Approximately B2
Common collocations
- sought-after job
- sought-after skill
- sought-after expert
Nuance
This is one of the closest replacements for coveted.
Sought-after emphasizes demand.
Coveted can emphasize desire, prestige, competition, or limited availability.
When not to use it
Do not use it when only one person privately wants something.
3. Longed for
Meaning: Strongly wanted for a long time.
The team finally achieved its longed-for victory.
Her longed-for holiday finally arrived.
Tone: Neutral/Literary
Frequency: Common
Register: Stories, journalism, personal writing
CEFR: Approximately B2
Common collocations
- longed-for victory
- longed-for opportunity
- longed-for return
Nuance
The key idea is time and emotion.
If something has been wanted for years, longed-for may be better than coveted.
When not to use it
Avoid it when the main idea is competition between many people.
4. Much desired
Meaning: Strongly wanted.
The team secured the much-desired promotion.
The policy produced a much-desired improvement.
Tone: Formal
Frequency: Common
Register: Formal writing, journalism, business
Nuance
This is a useful formal alternative to coveted, especially when you want to emphasize the strength of desire rather than competition.
When not to use it
It may sound too formal in casual conversation.
5. Wanted
Meaning: Desired or wished for.
She got the job she wanted.
He finally bought the car he had always wanted.
Tone: Neutral
Frequency: Very common
Register: Everyday and spoken English
CEFR: A1–A2
Nuance
Wanted is the easiest word on this list, but it is also less precise.
Compare:
She got the wanted position.
This sounds unnatural in many contexts.
Better:
She got the coveted position.
Or:
She got the sought-after position.
When not to use it
Do not force wanted into formal adjective phrases where desired or sought-after sounds more natural.
6. Wished for
Meaning: Wanted or hoped for.
The project delivered the wished-for results.
They finally received the wished-for opportunity.
Tone: Neutral/Literary
Frequency: Less common
Register: Written English
Nuance
Wished-for focuses on hope.
Coveted usually sounds stronger and can imply competition.
7. Desirable
Meaning: Worth wanting, having, or achieving.
The company offers a highly desirable position.
The neighborhood has become a desirable place to live.
Tone: Neutral/Formal
Frequency: Common
Register: Business, academic, professional
Nuance
Desirable describes qualities that make something attractive.
Coveted emphasizes the strong desire for it.
Compare:
The apartment has a desirable location.
The apartment has a coveted location.
The second sentence suggests greater competition or scarcity.
When not to use it
Do not use desirable if you need to show that people are actively competing to obtain something.
8. In Demand
Meaning: Wanted or needed by many people.
Skilled electricians are in demand.
The course teaches several in-demand skills.
Tone: Neutral/Business
Frequency: Very common
Register: Business, careers, economics
Common collocations
- in-demand skills
- in-demand jobs
- in-demand services
Nuance
In demand is especially useful for markets, careers, skills, products, and services.
When not to use it
It is not a natural replacement for every emotional use of coveted.
9. Prized
Meaning: Considered very valuable or important.
The painting is a prized possession.
She earned a prized place on the national team.
Tone: Neutral/Formal
Frequency: Common
Register: General and professional English
Nuance
The prize focuses on value.
Coveted focuses more on strong desire.
That distinction makes prized a near synonym rather than an exact synonym.
Common collocations
- prized possession
- prized award
- prized position
When not to use it
Do not use prizes simply because many people want something.
10. Enviable
Meaning: So good or desirable that other people may wish they had it.
She has an enviable collection of rare books.
He built an enviable reputation in the industry.
Tone: Neutral/Formal
Frequency: Common
Register: Journalism, professional English
Nuance
Enviable describes a quality or situation that may cause envy.
It is different from envied.
Enviable: worthy of envy
Envied: actually the object of another person’s envy
When not to use it
Do not use enviable when you simply mean “wanted by many.”
11. Envied
Meaning: Wanted because another person possesses it or enjoys it.
Her flexible schedule was envied by her colleagues.
His success was envied by some competitors.
Tone: Neutral
Frequency: Common
Register: General English
Nuance
This word carries an emotional idea that coveted does not always carry.
Someone may covet an award because they want to win it. Someone may envy another person’s award because that person already has it.
When not to use it
Do not replace every instance of coveted with envied.
12. Craved
Meaning: I wanted something very strongly.
After the long hike, everyone craved cold water.
She craved a chance to prove herself.
Tone: Neutral
Frequency: Common
Register: Spoken and written English
CEFR: Approximately B2
Nuance
Craved expresses intense personal desire.
It is especially common with food, experiences, attention, affection, and opportunities.
When not to use it
A phrase such as a coveted award sounds natural.
A craved award usually does not.
This is a good example of why dictionary synonyms cannot always be swapped grammatically.
13. Yearned For
Meaning: Wanted something deeply and emotionally.
He yearned for a chance to return home.
She had yearned for success since childhood.
Tone: Emotional/Literary
Frequency: Common
Register: Stories, personal writing, expressive English
Nuance
This is stronger and more emotional than ordinary wanted.
When not to use it
Avoid it in technical or business writing unless you intentionally want an emotional tone.
14. Aspired To
Meaning: Wanted to achieve something as a goal.
She aspired to become a doctor.
He aspired to a leadership position.
Tone: Formal/Academic
Frequency: Common
Register: Academic, professional
Nuance
Aspire to focus on a future goal.
Covet focuses on a strong desire for something.
When not to use it
Do not use aspire to as a direct substitute for phrases such as coveted award.
15. Desired by Many
Meaning: Wanted strongly by a large number of people.
The position was highly desired by many qualified applicants.
This is not a single-word synonym, but it is a useful phrase because it makes the core meaning of coveted completely clear.
Best used when
You need very simple English and want to explain the meaning rather than impress the reader with advanced vocabulary.
Strongest Synonyms of Coveted
If you need the closest alternatives, start with these:
- Sought-after
- Much-desired
- Desired
- Longed-for
- Desirable
- In demand
- Wished-for
The first three are usually the safest choices.
Related Words That Are NOT Exact Synonyms
This is where many online synonym articles become misleading.
Popular
Popular means liked, enjoyed, or chosen by many.
This is a popular restaurant.
It does not necessarily mean strongly desired.
Prestigious
Prestigious means respected because of high status or reputation.
She won a prestigious award.
A prestigious award may be coveted, but the two words have different meanings.
Treasured
Treasured means deeply valued or loved.
The letter is a treasured family keepsake.
It describes emotional value, not public demand.
Valued
Valued means considered important, useful, or worthwhile.
Her advice is highly valued.
Something can be valued without being coveted.
Coveted vs. Sought, After vs. Desired
This is one of the most useful distinctions for writers.
| Word | Main idea | Example |
| Coveted | Strongly wanted, often with competition or prestige | a coveted award |
| Sought-after | Wanted by many | a sought-after expert |
| Desired | Wanted or wished for | the desired result |
Simple rule
Use coveted when you want to highlight strong desire and desirability.
Use sought-after when you want to highlight demand.
Use desired when you simply mean wanted.
Coveted vs. Prized
These two words are close but not identical.
Coveted = strongly wanted.
Prized = highly valued.
The award was coveted by thousands of students.
The focus is on the students wanting it.
The award was prized by the winner.
The focus is on its value to the winner.
Coveted vs. Envied
These words are often confused.
Coveted means strongly wanted.
Envied means someone wants what another person has, often with feelings of jealousy.
She coveted the promotion.
She strongly wanted the promotion.
Her promotion was envied by her colleagues.
Her colleagues wished they had what she had.
Coveted vs. Prestigious
Prestigious describes status.
Coveted describes desire.
He received a prestigious award.
The award has high status.
He received a coveted award.
Many people strongly wanted the award.
A single award can be both prestigious and coveted, but the words are not interchangeable in every context.
Common Collocations With Coveted
Native speakers frequently use coveted nouns connected to competition, achievement, and status.
Very natural combinations
- coveted award
- coveted title
- coveted position
- coveted role
- coveted prize
- coveted trophy
- coveted scholarship
- coveted opportunity
- coveted ticket
- coveted place
- coveted spot
- coveted position
- highly coveted award
- highly coveted role
- most coveted prize
Why collocations matter
Learning alone is useful.
Learning coveted + award, coveted + position, and coveted + title is even more useful because it shows how the word behaves in real writing.
Common Mistakes With Coveted
Common Mistake Box
Mistake 1
The popular scholarship was coveted because everyone liked it.
Better
The scholarship was coveted because many students strongly wanted it.
Why: Coveted concerns strong desire, not simply popularity.
Mistake 2
She is a coveted person.
Better
She is a highly sought-after consultant.
Why: English usually needs a more specific noun phrase when describing a person.
Mistake 3
I coveted a new phone yesterday.
This is grammatically possible, but it sounds more formal and intense than ordinary conversation.
More natural
I really wanted a new phone.
Why: Everyday English is usually preferred.
Mistake 4
The award was coveted because it was prestigious.
This can be correct, but it explains one reason for its desirability rather than defining coveted.
Better understanding
The award was prestigious, so many competitors coveted it.
Now the two ideas are clearly separated.
How to Choose the Right Synonym
Ask yourself one question:
What exactly do I want to emphasize?
Strong desire?
→ coveted / desired
Do many people want it?
→ sought-after / in demand
High value?
→ prized
Long-lasting emotional desire?
→ longed-for / yearned for
High social status?
→ prestigious
Personal emotional importance?
→ treasured
Jealous desire for what someone else has?
→ envied
Future ambition?
→ aspired to
This method gives you a more accurate word than simply replacing coveted with the first synonym you find.
Etymology and First Known Use
The verb covet has a long history in English. Merriam-Webster traces it through Middle English and Anglo-French to Latin roots connected with strong desire. Its first known use is recorded in the 14th century.
The modern adjective coveted developed from the past participle of covet.
The historical origin helps explain why the word carries a stronger sense of desire than simple words such as like or prefer.
American vs. British English
Coveted has the same spelling in American and British English.
There is no major difference in normal usage.
The pronunciation can vary slightly, particularly in the middle syllable.
The same expressions work naturally in both varieties:
a coveted position
a coveted award
a highly coveted opportunity
Register and Frequency Guide
| Word | Frequency | Register | Main nuance |
| Wanted | Very common | Spoken/Neutral | Simple desire |
| Desired | Very common | Neutral/Formal | General desire |
| Popular | Very common | Neutral | Liked by many |
| In demand | Common | Business | Strong market demand |
| Sought-after | Common | Neutral/Formal | Wanted by many |
| Prized | Common | Neutral/Formal | High value |
| Longed-for | Common | Literary/Neutral | Deep, lasting desire |
| Desirable | Common | Formal/Neutral | Worth wanting |
| Envied | Common | Neutral | Desired because another has it |
| Prestigious | Common | Formal | High status |
| Yearned for | Common | Emotional/Literary | Deep desire |
| Aspirational | Less common | Academic/Business | Connected to ambition |
Antonyms of Coveted
Depending on context, possible opposites include:
- unwanted
- undesirable
- unpopular
- rejected
- unappealing
- overlooked
- undesirable
- neglected
Example
The position was highly coveted.
Opposite:
The position was widely considered undesirable.
Mini Practice
Fill in the blanks
Choose from:
coveted, sought-after, prized, prestigious, in-demand
- Data analysis is an ______ skill.
- The championship is one of the most ______ titles in the sport.
- She is a ______ consultant with clients around the world.
- He keeps the watch as a ______ family possession.
- The university is known for its ______ academic programs.
Answers
- in-demand
- coveted
- sought-after
- prized
- prestigious
Rewrite the Sentence
Replace coveted with the best alternative.
She earned a coveted position at the company.
Possible answer:
She earned a sought-after position at the company.
Now change the meaning slightly:
She earned a prestigious position at the company.
The second sentence focuses more on status than desire.
FAQ: Synonyms of Coveted
What is the closest synonym for coveted?
The closest general synonym for coveted is sought-after. Both can describe something that many people strongly want. However, coveted can carry a stronger sense of desire, competition, prestige, or rarity, while sought-after focuses more directly on demand.
What is a simple synonym for coveted?
A simple synonym is wanted. However, wanting is much broader and weaker. Coveted usually suggests that something is especially desirable or strongly wanted. For simple everyday speech, want is often more natural.
Is desired the same as coveted?
Desired and coveted are very close, but they are not always identical. Desired simply means wanted. Coveted often suggests stronger desire and may imply that many people want the same thing or that the thing has special value or prestige.
Is sought-after a synonym for coveted?
Yes. Sought-after is one of the closest practical synonyms for coveted. It describes something that many people want because it is valuable, attractive, useful, respected, or difficult to obtain. It is especially natural with jobs, skills, experts, products, and opportunities.
What is the difference between coveted and envied?
Coveted means strongly wanted. Envied means wanted because another person has or enjoys something. For example, you may covet a promotion before receiving it, while coworkers may envy you after you receive it.
What is the opposite of coveted?
Common opposites include unwanted, undesirable, unpopular, rejected, and unappealing. The best choice depends on context. Unwanted is a broad opposite, while undesirable works well in formal writing.
Is coveted a positive word?
Usually, coveted has a positive or desirable sense when it describes an award, job, position, opportunity, or achievement. However, the related verb covet can sometimes suggest excessive or morally questionable desire, especially when someone strongly wants another person’s possession.
Can coveted describe a person?
Yes, but it is more natural to describe a person’s services, talent, skills, or participation. For example, “She is a highly coveted designer” can work in some contexts, but “She is a highly sought-after designer” is usually more natural.
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word best means “wanted by many people”?
A. Treasured
B. Sought-after
C. Forgotten
D. Ordinary
Answer: B
2. Which word focuses most on value?
A. Prized
B. Popular
C. Wanted
D. Envied
Answer: A
3. Which phrase best fits a skill that employers strongly need?
A. Longed-for
B. In-demand
C. Treasured
D. Wished-for
Answer: B
4. Which sentence best uses coveted?
A. She won a coveted scholarship that attracted hundreds of applicants.
B. She coveted the sandwich because it was delicious.
C. The unwanted product was highly coveted by nobody.
D. He coveted his ordinary pencil every morning.
Answer: A
5. Which word focuses on high status?
A. Prestigious
B. Wanted
C. Wished-for
D. Popular
Answer: A
Final Takeaway
The best synonyms of coveted depend on the meaning you want to express. Use sought-after for strong demand, desired for general wanting, prized for high value, longed, for for deep and lasting desire, in demand for market need, and prestigious for status.
Do not treat every related word as an exact synonym. Understanding these small differences will make your vocabulary more accurate and your essays, emails, articles, and conversations sound more natural.
Trusted References
- Cambridge Dictionary and Thesaurus
- Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary
- Thesaurus.com
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
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