: a tender or urgent longing
a yearning for justice
Synonyms
Examples of yearning in a Sentence
had a sudden yearning for something sweet
Recent Examples on the Web
But thanks to leaps in computer graphics, Wingard was able to truly infuse Kong with a deep longing for home and yearning to belong.
—
USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Neon Genesis Evangelion, itself filled with teenage yearning and angst, which has found a devoted new audience on streaming platforms in recent years.
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Jones, a scene-stealer in supporting roles for years, gives a tour de force lead performance that toggles between unsettling, yearning and tender.
—Jen Yamato, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
SiR’s music, which is gospel and soul-influenced, is riddled with themes of love, yearning, and heartbreak.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024
Kumar writes with equal amounts of heart and humor, capturing the keen pain of Karthik’s home life and Meghna’s yearning for love and approval from everyone in her life.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024
So much of fashion design is an expression of desire and loneliness and yearning, a hurt, dreamy child’s shout to be heard.
—Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Alderney residents enjoy a deep love for the place, a yearning for a quiet lifestyle and low taxes.
—Claire Moses, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024
The lyrical battle between her own pride and her desire for connection and yearning to be wanted and desired come to a head in the lush instrumental break that simultaneously serves as the song’s bridge and outro — talk about a stunner.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024
USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Neon Genesis Evangelion, itself filled with teenage yearning and angst, which has found a devoted new audience on streaming platforms in recent years.
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Jones, a scene-stealer in supporting roles for years, gives a tour de force lead performance that toggles between unsettling, yearning and tender.
—Jen Yamato, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
SiR’s music, which is gospel and soul-influenced, is riddled with themes of love, yearning, and heartbreak.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024
Kumar writes with equal amounts of heart and humor, capturing the keen pain of Karthik’s home life and Meghna’s yearning for love and approval from everyone in her life.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024
So much of fashion design is an expression of desire and loneliness and yearning, a hurt, dreamy child’s shout to be heard.
—Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Alderney residents enjoy a deep love for the place, a yearning for a quiet lifestyle and low taxes.
—Claire Moses, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024
The lyrical battle between her own pride and her desire for connection and yearning to be wanted and desired come to a head in the lush instrumental break that simultaneously serves as the song’s bridge and outro — talk about a stunner.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yearning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of yearning was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near yearning
Cite this Entry
“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearning. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
yearning
noun
yearn·ing
: a tender or eager longing
More from Merriam-Webster on yearning
Nglish: Translation of yearning for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of yearning for Arabic Speakers
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