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 huge crowds were stressful for police, who ended up working longer shifts than usual to deal with traffic, accidents, shoplifting and other issues. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

It’s taken this long for watches to be considered assets because it’s taken a while for prices to reach a point that makes people sit up and take notice, Heslington says. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026

Adverb

The Street has also long suspected Waldron was planning to stick around. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Her exit from Fremantle follows that of Vasha Wallace and long-serving Commercial and International COO Bob McCourt. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

The seat is as hot as it’s ever been for Mike Norvell as FSU longs for a return to the quality of 2023. — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Restless to prove useful, River longs to do actual sleuthing. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 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