yearning 1 of 3

noun

ˈyər-niŋ How to pronounce yearning (audio)
Definition of yearningnext
as in longing
a strong wish for something had a sudden yearning for something sweet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

yearning

2 of 3

adjective

as in crying

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

yearning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of yearn
as in pining

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 yearning
Noun
The continued fascination with Monroe reflects a broader yearning for the glamour and larger-than-life movie stars of cinema's Golden Age. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Nolan foregrounds the nobility that guides the character (his guilt, his dedication to his men, his yearning for his family) and neglects his wily cunning and egotism. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026 For the uninitiated, Cohan isn’t at all off base to suggest that fans drop their yearning for this particular pair of characters. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026 Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in the 80-minute one-act play, which won Escola a Tony Award. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for yearning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning
  1. longing
  2. crying
  3. craving
  4. pressing
  5. desire
  6. insistent
  7. urge
  8. urgent
Noun
  • Over time, his desire to pursue his life’s work became inseparable from a larger longing for personal freedom.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This paradox—a longing for beauty to be distributed equally, even though it cannot be diluted for ease of distribution, and might even require rarity—is why the period continues to fascinate me.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of longing
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • Chips aren’t the only way to satisfy a craving for something crunchy.
    — Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But yeah, just how quickly the cravings to check my phone all the time really receded.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of craving
Adjective
  • There followed a few weeks of dancing around the topic, before Rodri went to Barcelona and City had a more pressing need for a senior midfielder.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Among the more pressing challenges is rising water temperatures, which have an impact on several local species.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressing
Noun
  • Fall summons the urge to nest, and as temperatures drop, so does the desire to leave the house.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trout, the face of the franchise, has nonetheless been clear and direct about his desire to remain in Anaheim.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of desire
Adjective
  • But flatter work, especially photography and illusionistic painting, struggles to hold its position against the building’s insistent materiality.
    — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This was one aspect of Parton, the adventurer whose insistent self-respect would carry her beyond any limitations others tried to impose on her.
    — Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of insistent
Noun
  • Or perhaps begin preparing themselves for the inevitable urge to quote Harry Hogge at strangers.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • However, resist the urge to wipe down your walls with a disinfectant wipe.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of urge
Adjective
  • But the issue of rising fuel costs is becoming an increasingly urgent one for the White House.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The voices warning about the risks of artificial intelligence grow louder, more urgent and increasingly credible every day.
    — Henry M. Paulson Jr, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of urgent

Browse Nearby Words

yearn (for)
yearning
yearning (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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