Synonyms of long

long 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlȯŋ 

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

• elongate
• extended
• lengthy
• large
• outstretched
• extensive
• oblong
• longish
• big
• sizable
• rectangular
• far-reaching
• king-size
• considerable
• super
• oversize
• substantial
• hefty
• jumbo
• largish
• biggish
• hulking
• overscale

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• short
• brief
• curt
• curtailed
• abbreviated
• diminished
• shortish
• small
• little
• abridged
• tiny
• minute
• diminutive
• miniature
• shortened
• wee
• puny
• smallish
• undersized
• bitty
• teeny

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

• lengthy
• far
• extended
• great
• endless
• marathon
• prolonged
• long-term
• long-drawn-out
• protracted
• long-lived
• longish
• interminable
• persistent
• permanent
• overlong
• everlasting
• aeonian
• all-day
• multiyear
• multiday
• all-night

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• short
• brief
• little
• short-term
• sudden
• mini
• abrupt
• curtailed
• abbreviated
• shortish
• condensed
• short-lived
• transient
• fleeting
• momentary
• transitory
• ephemeral
• shortened
• short-range
• impermanent

long

2 of 4

adverb

as in perennially

Related Words

• perennially
• forever
• permanently
• enduringly
• eternally
• everlastingly
• always
• perpetually
• ever
• indelibly
• evermore
• aye
• forevermore
• e'er

Dissimilar Words

• never
• once
• ne'er
• nevermore

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

• forever
• months
• age
• eternity
• eon
• moon
• cycle
• blue moon
• donkey's years
• coon's age
• lifetime
• infinity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minute
• second
• moment
• instant
• split second
• flash
• shake
• wink
• twinkle
• jiffy
• trice
• twinkling
• nanosecond
• microsecond

long

4 of 4

verb

as in to pine

Related Words

• pine
• yearn
• worry
• fear
• trouble
• agonize
• bother
• stress
• despair
• chafe
• fret
• sweat
• stew
• fuss

Dissimilar Words

• accept
• take
• endure
• sustain
• tolerate
• bear
• abide
• stick out
• stomach

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

Recent Examples of long

Adjective

The fragile peace didn’t hold, but the market’s memory is long enough to remember what was happening in February and in June. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Spanning five acres of land, this remote residence has plenty of room for everyone (humans and animals) to stretch their legs after a long drive. — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026

Adverb

The long-running tradition, which includes barbecue, raffles and games, invites members of the public to hear from a lineup of political speakers slinging zingers at each other. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

The announcement reflects a profound change in the nature of the internet, where bots were long a fairly small portion of traffic and primarily treated as a threat or a nuisance. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

This year’s 10-day-long edition brought together an international slate of independent films across narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and short-form categories. — Matt Minton, Variety, 9 June 2026

The final chapters focus on 50-year-old Inga trying to have a relationship with her mother, who is falling into dementia and longs for the old nomadic life. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 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

Phrases Containing long

• as long as
• at long last
• before long
• by a long shot
• long (for)
• long green
• long haul
• long in the tooth
• long suit
• so long as
• the long and short
• the long and the short