yearn

1 of 2

verb

ˈyərn 

yearned; yearning; yearns

intransitive verb

1

: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly

yearns to make a difference

2

: to feel tenderness or compassion

yearner noun

yearningly

ˈyər-niŋ-lē 

adverb

yearner

2 of 2

noun

yearn·​er

ˈyərnər;

ˈyə̄nə(r, 

ˈyəin-

plural -s

: one that yearns

yearners for an absolute government

—Russell Lord

Synonyms of yearn

Verb

• crave
• long (for)
• die (for)
• want
• thirst (for)
• pine (for)
• sigh (for)
• wish (for)
• yen (for)
• hunger (for)
• ache (for)
• repine (for)
• itch (for)

Choose the Right Synonym for yearn

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst 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

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

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

hungered for a business of his own

thirsted for power

Examples of yearn in a Sentence

Verb

yearned for a little house in the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Experts and Gen Z alike say that the younger generation still yearns for connection. —Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

The city must remember that those who perished yearned to be seen and included. —Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

But competence can engender yearning for its opposite, for a metabolizing, in-medias-res idea. —Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026

The new trilogy was enjoyable, but a chorus of voices yearned for a Lara Croft closer to her portrayal in the original PlayStation games. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for yearn

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• sunburn
• unworn

Kids Definition

yearn

verb

ˈyərn 

1

: to desire eagerly

2

: to feel tenderness or sympathy

yearner noun