yearn

1 of 2

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

yearner

2 of 2

noun

yearn·​er

ˈyərnər;

ˈyə̄nə(r, 

ˈyəin-

plural -s

: one that yearns

yearners for an absolute government

—Russell Lord

Synonyms of yearn

Verb

• 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

Verb

yearned for a little house in the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Panthers have the same head coach (Dave Canales), general manager (Dan Morgan) and starting quarterback (Bryce Young) for a third consecutive year — the kind of stability this franchise has been yearning for. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Kylie’s yearning for Gideon echoes King’s crowd-pleasing rom-com instincts, while the heavier dramatic work she’s taken on in TV ever since prevents the headstrong character from reading too much like a narrative accessory. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Instead of being positioned before crisp backgrounds like static dioramas, they’re backed by blurry freeze frames that yearn to be in motion. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Cook, the chairman, had been yearning for an arch in Washington for decades. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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