longing

noun long·ing \ ˈlȯŋ-iŋ \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of longing

: a strong desire especially for something unattainable : craving

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longingly

play \ˈlȯŋ-iŋ-lē\ adverb

See longing defined for English-language learners

See longing defined for kids

Examples of longing in a Sentence

They looked with longing toward freedom.
She cast a look of longing at the shop window.
She never told anyone about her secret longings.

Recent Examples of longing from the Web

Poor but socially ambitious, Frances had grown up longing for the kind of life that Reed could provide: horses, servants, a grand but tasteful place to live.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "A Lost Opportunity in “Three Tall Women”," 2 Apr. 2018
Every legend, every longing and every belief projected onto these mountains reflects back another basic truth — our need to identify with something more profound than observed reality.

— tyrone beason, The Seattle Times, "A reporter feels the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s promised land on a Mexican mountaintop," 31 Mar. 2018
Relatives and friends of people still missing after Thursday's collapse gathered at the university, longing and praying for miracles as authorities tried to get inside the crushed cars still pinned under slabs of the bridge.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Student watched helplessly as bridge came down on top of car," 16 Mar. 2018
Detractors mutter privately that Alioto sounds like a local version of Donald Trump, longing for a glorified heyday that is overly romanticized and will never return.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "The San Francisco of Angela Alioto’s memories was an incredible place.," 30 Mar. 2018
But that kind of longing, the need to be seen and known via words, could be debilitating, could put you at the mercy of the world.

— alice driver, Longreads, "‘Forgive Yourself. And Forgive Me.’," 20 Mar. 2018
Eating in a really restrictive, limited way was essentially eating with stress and longing.

— alison carroll, Bon Appetit, "On Breaking Food Rules and Learning to Cook the Food You Love," 12 Mar. 2018
As the piece ebbs and flows, the first section tends to feel joyous, despite several interruptions which peel back a layer and evoke images of longing and pain.

— lauren warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is magnificent, but that ‘Golden Section's’ gotta go," 8 Mar. 2018
The song’s extended drone and subtle beat evoke a sun sinking ever closer to the horizon, ushering in feelings of an end, the anticipation of darkness and uncertainty, but also of closure, acceptance, and longing for a new day.

— chris stedman, The Atlantic, "The Musician Who Insists That Optimism Isn't Naïve," 7 Mar. 2018

These 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.