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

After a period devoted to motherhood, Agus sets off for a long yearned-for trip to Japan with dear friend Loly. —John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026

Jessie and the gang yearn to gallivant forever in the hands of 8-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears), perhaps the last child in existence still playing with analog toys. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Aemond, horny always for bloodshed, pushes his luck with Alicent, who has to play the role of supportive mommy while secretly yearning for Rhaenyra to accept her offer and free her from her mad sons. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026

If architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness, as Frank Gehry put it, the more modest gestures of design should, too. —Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 17 June 2026

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