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 of yearn

• 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

My work hours, most notably, but also that little nagging voice in my head that yearns—no, demands—perfection. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

Flowers, who became Fort Valley State’s head coach in 2020, welcomed Wilson with open arms and served as the mentor Wilson had been yearning for. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025

The beauty of this affair wasn’t in the plotting, but in the performance of yearning given by Edie Falco, who made the series every bit as much hers as Gandolfini’s in these moments. —John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025

Sally yearns for freedom from her creator, aligning her with the motives of Cancer, who searches for independence from their family on occasion. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 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