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Prepositions after verbs

How to use thirst with prepositions

Thirst for is the standard expression for strong desire. Other prepositions are usually used in different sentence structures.

Quick answer

Use thirst for to express strong desire

The verb thirst is most commonly followed by for: thirst for power, knowledge, or adventure. Thirst after also appears in literary English with a similar meaning. Prepositions such as in, at, and like are usually separate parts of the sentence, not fixed combinations with thirst.

He thirsts for success.
They thirsted for revenge.
In old literature, she thirsted after glory.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
thirst for + noun

Expressing a strong desire

Use for to show intense wanting or craving.

Many people thirst for recognition.
2
thirst after + noun

Literary or old-fashioned desire

After can appear in literary style with a meaning similar to for.

The hero thirsted after fame.
3
thirst in + place

Location with thirst

In usually introduces a place or situation, not the object of desire.

Travellers often thirst in the desert heat.
4
thirst at + time or event

Context or occasion

At can describe when or where thirst happens, not what is desired.

Athletes may thirst at the end of a marathon.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
thirst for
She thirsts for adventure.
Standard expression for strong desire.
thirst after
He thirsted after power.
Literary or old-fashioned alternative to thirst for.
thirst in
They thirsted in the dry climate.
In introduces a place or condition, not the desired object.
thirst at
Runners thirst at the finish line.
At introduces a point or situation.
thirst like
They fought like people who thirsted for freedom.
Like is not a standard complement after thirst.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using like after thirst

Like does not normally introduce the object of desire after thirst.

✕ She thirsts like success. ✓ She thirsts for success.

Using in instead of for

Use for when naming what someone strongly wants.

✕ He thirsts in attention. ✓ He thirsts for attention.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company thirsts ___ growth.
2. In literary English, writers may use thirsted ___ glory.
3. Travellers often thirst ___ the desert.

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Frequently asked questions

Is thirst after correct?

Yes, but it sounds literary or old-fashioned compared with thirst for.

Can I use thirst for abstract things?

Yes. English commonly uses thirst for power, knowledge, freedom, and success.

Does thirst in mean desire?

Usually no. In normally introduces a place or situation where thirst happens.

tackle by, in, for, with or on? tack-on-onto-to-across, as "tag with" or "tag in"? tailor to, for, from, toward or towards? "taint by" or "taint with"? "take into", "take in" or "take to"? "talk about" or "talk to"? tally with, in, for, up or at? "tap into" or "tap on"? target at, by, for, to or in? tarnish by, in, with, after or as? "taste like", "taste of" or "taste in"?

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