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Definition of yearn
intransitive verb
1 : to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly yearns to make a difference
2 : to feel tenderness or compassion
yearner
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Recent Examples of yearn from the Web
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This makes fans yearn for fun — and, even more importantly, functioning — accessories.
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Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
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While there is little research on the desire for fatherhood, a 2013 study in Britain found that men and women had similar levels of yearning for children.
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The audience, however, yearned for something more: the satisfaction of Trump’s defeat.
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And San Diego’s own Hafso-Koppman, a new graduate of the Old Globe/University of San Diego’s Shiley MFA acting program, has an absolute star turn as Cléante, who yearns to marry Angélique despite her father’s opposition.
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The loyalty and affection toward Chris Hansen from those yearning for a new arena and the return of the Sonics is understandable.
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To those who have been waiting for this picture their entire lives, who have yearned to see ‘
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Nixon was an actor and a musician, a romantic whose tough childhood and distant mother left him yearning for approval.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yearn'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of yearn
Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice
Synonym Discussion of yearn
YEARN Defined for English Language Learners
yearn
playDefinition of yearn for English Language Learners
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: to feel a strong desire or wish for something or to do something
YEARN Defined for Kids
Learn More about yearn
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See words that rhyme with yearn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yearn Spanish Central: Translation of yearn Nglish: Translation of yearn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of yearn for Arabic speakers
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