long 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce long (audio)
Definition of longnext
1
as in elongate
of great extent from end to end giraffes have long necks to help them reach leaves on tall trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lengthy
lasting for a considerable time if it's boring, even a movie with a running time of 90 minutes can seem long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

2 of 4

adverb

as in perennially

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

long

3 of 4

noun

as in forever
a long or seemingly long period of time they should be here before long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

4 of 4

verb

as in to pine

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

longed for some rest

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own
thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of long
Adjective
The latest wave of demonstrations followed a month-long student movement over teacher shortages and school conditions, with broader anger from unions. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Prince Harry risks 'lobbing a grenade' at Prince William as chance to heal years-long feud emerges. — FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Across the advertising ecosystem, owning some of the work created for ads and other promotions has long been a sort of Holy Grail. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 It was long thought that preventing extreme cold embrittlement meant finding ways to keep existing microscopic defects moving. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
This is the story of JAŸ-Z in 8, a new long but guarded eight-part HBO docuseries about the rapper directed and produced by Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 The 31-year-old in 2025 made 33 of 38 field goal attempts with a long of 59. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
Fan reviews on social media appear to be mixed, with some approving of adding the design to the jersey while others are still longing for the original spike collars to return. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 Champagne and beer soaked the floor, cigar smoke clung to the air and the Knicks finally celebrated a title generations of fans have longed to see. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for long
  1. elongate
  2. lengthy
  3. perennially
  4. forever
  5. pine
  6. extended
  7. far
  8. permanently
Adjective
  • Built by Van der Graaf, the recreated Atlantic contains plenty of nods to the original’s design, from its elongated hull, elegant lines, and towering 147-foot masts.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The elongated Grand Fish Platter is built for family-style serving—whole fish, roasted vegetables, or really anything worthy of the center of the table.
    — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of elongate
Adjective
  • The role required memorizing lengthy dialogue loaded with dates and names.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • After a rather lengthy political battle, Bethan Vaughan triumphs over an antisemitic and xenophobic candidate to become only the second PM during the run of The Diplomat.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lengthy
Adverb
  • The legendary train, operated by Belmond, will depart Paris, roll along the breathtaking coastal railway of the Côte d’Azur, before stopping in the perennially glamorous Monegasque district.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Or when Cohen helmed perennially uncompetitive Hinkley to a 5-5 mark in 2013, achieving a rare non-losing season for the Thunder before getting mercy-ruled by Columbine in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of perennially
Noun
  • There is a certain ease and flow to the conversation with your forevers.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 2026
  • Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of forever
Verb
  • In the 1960s, an interracial couple encounter aliens, and a sci-fi author writes pining letters to her lover.
    — Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
  • However, thousands of years of genetic isolation have made the island pine a distinct subspecies, according to the National Park Service.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of pine
Adjective
  • The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Keldermans thanked everyone who participated and extended birthday wishes to one community member’s grandson.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of extended
Adjective
  • The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In France, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is leading presidential polls ahead of the 2027 election and has called for a sweeping overhaul of public broadcasting, including privatization.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of far
Adverb
  • This process of invasive plants permanently replacing native species is called type conversion.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Permanent flood barriers are anything that gets screwed into the wall or permanently attached to a structure.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of permanently

Phrases Containing long

Browse Nearby Words

lone wolves
long
long ago
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Cite this Entry

“Long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about long

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