longing
noun
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Definition of longing
: a strong desire especially for something unattainable : craving
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Other Words from longing
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adverb
Synonyms for longing
Synonyms
appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, jones [slang], letch, lust, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen
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Examples of longing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But some become obsessed, longing to know more about something both mysterious and frightening. — Joseph P. Laycock, Smithsonian, "A Search for Mysteries and Monsters in Small Town America," 11 July 2018 Emil also creepily yearns for a young woman, Anna (Victoria Carmen Sonne), a longing that intensifies his rivalry with Johan. — Hlynur Palmason, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Winter Brothers,’ a Frosty Sibling Rivalry," 27 June 2018 Mass migrations, terrorism, transnational criminal activity and international economic upheavals bring a longing for order that can play on false memories of simpler times. — James Stavridis, Time, "Democracy Isn't Perfect, But It Will Still Prevail," 12 July 2018 The arrival of spring always stirs up a longing for adventure. — Alex Leanse, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Your Car Ready For Your Next Road Trip," 25 Apr. 2017 Shawn, with his troubled home life (his parents drop him off with the Matthews and/or random teachers whenever the show needs a tear-jerker episode) and longing for meaning would be more susceptible than some to a cult's advances. — refinery29.com, "Let's Talk About That Cult Episode Of Boy Meets World," 6 July 2018 The falling light stokes visions of vacations past and future, the end of a thrilling day (in this case, a birthday party), and always, a sense of longing. — Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, "Meet the Designer Behind the Space Age Interiors That Will Soothe You This Summer," 28 June 2018 Yet the gadgetry only heightened the songs’ very human longing. — Jon Pareles, New York Times, "At Moogfest, Electronics Stimulate Ears and Emotions," 21 May 2018 In a recent cover story in National Review, Dougherty makes a much more far-reaching claim that a victim mentality fostered by the radical left creates utopian longings that threaten to upend the political system. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "The Centrist Grievance Against “Victim Politics”," 7 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'longing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for longing
longing
noun
English Language Learners Definition of longing
: a strong desire for something or someone
See the full definition for longing in the English Language Learners Dictionary
longing
noun
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Kids Definition of longing
: a very strong desire
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