General desire for acceptance:
* Belong: This implies a strong desire to be part of a group or community.
* Fit in: This emphasizes the desire to be similar to others and avoid standing out.
* Validate: This suggests a need for approval and recognition from others.
* Acknowledge: This implies a desire for others to recognize your worth and importance.
More specific terms:
* Yearn: This expresses a strong, often painful longing for acceptance.
* Crave: This emphasizes an intense desire that is hard to control.
* Seek: This implies an active effort to gain acceptance.
* Desire: This is a neutral term for a simple wish to be accepted.
* Long for: This emphasizes the sustained nature of the desire.
Ultimately, the best word will depend on the specific context and the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.