Thirst

Thirst is a physiological sensation that signals the body's need for water or fluids. It's a drive to drink, triggered by dehydration or an increase in blood sodium levels. The feeling manifests as a dryness in the mouth and throat, and can range from a mild awareness to an intense craving. Beyond the purely physical, 'thirst' can also be used metaphorically to describe an intense desire or longing for something non-physical, such as knowledge, power, or recognition. This broader sense of the word emphasizes a yearning or craving akin to the basic need for water. This could also apply to intense yearning feelings such as the thirst to win or the thirst for revenge.

Thirst meaning with examples

• After running the marathon, the athlete's thirst was overwhelming; they immediately reached for a bottle of water. The searing heat, the heavy exertion, and the loss of fluids through sweat had created an urgent need for rehydration. The physical craving was immediate.
• Stranded in the desert, their thirst became almost unbearable. The sun beat down mercilessly, and every grain of sand seemed to mock their desperate need for water. This thirst took over their entire body, and they couldn't think about anything else.
• The long meeting left her with a metaphorical thirst for knowledge; she wanted to read everything she could about that topic. The presentation and the discussion sparked such curiosity that she rushed to the library afterward. This craving was completely different from the earlier one.
• The politician's thirst for power was insatiable; they relentlessly pursued every opportunity for advancement, regardless of the cost. This ambition was as compelling as any physical craving. Nothing seemed to satisfy this hunger.
• After decades of injustice, the community's thirst for revenge was finally quenched when the perpetrators were brought to justice. This desire had been passed down through generations and consumed their minds. This craving had reached its end.