yearn

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

Synonyms

• 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

yearned for a little house in the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond political motives, the group yearn for human warmth and connection. —Annika Pham, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025

If Roofman appears pat by comparison, Cianfrance’s humanistic approach to the material mines unexpected depth—and humor—from the story of a desperate man yearning for human connection, and the woman who gets tangled in his web of lies. —Keaton Bell, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2025

But when your social media feed fills up with photos of vibrant fall leaves and pumpkin patches, yearning for a chill in the air and a change of color is only natural. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2025

To me, there’s a distinct lack of yearning on this record — a defining trait in Swift’s lyricism. —Bianca Davino, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

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