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long

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noun

long

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adverb

long

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words 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

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own
thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of long
Adjective
Back to the London look—Dilara Findikoglu has long been an it-girl favorite. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, an inclusive church that has long welcomed members of the LGBTQ+ community, is near one of the crosswalks set for removal. Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
For customers still longing for beefy selections after Saturday’s final hurrah? Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 Oct. 2025 The mission behind Alebrije, according to Victoria, is to offer a corner of Mexico in Nashville, where good, affordable food evokes nostalgia and warmth, especially for older generations who long for the flavors of their childhood and the comfort of their grandmother’s kitchen. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Make sure to bring your long camera lenses and your binoculars. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 Over his long and illustrious career as a CBS news correspondent and anchor, Bob Schieffer won awards and earned acclaim as one of the finest journalists in America. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
No one has drains in this long. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025 TreVeyon Henderson had rushed for 27 yards, led by a long of 14. Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for long
Adjective
  • In addition to her work on KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE has a lengthy career working as a songwriter on K-pop songs by some of the industry’s biggest groups, including Aespa, Le Sserafim, Twice and NMIXX.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
  • And there are other ideas to do with ion drives and collecting interstellar gas and using that to propel yourself along—but all that would involve very lengthy trips.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • With at least 89 wins four of the last five seasons, the Blue Jays are perennially competitive.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Its defense was among the nation’s best perennially, and perhaps none was as gap sound or as physical.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 34-mile road winds through several ecosystems from cove hardwood to northern hardwood to pine oak to spruce fir.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Parts read like a narrative, other parts sound like a letter to the husband, sometimes explanatory, sometimes apologetic, sometimes pining.
    The Know, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The elongated blending stick works great in deep pots and tall containers.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • At the front of its elongated hood, the face of the Vision Iconic wears a plus-sized grille that pays homage to the large grilles in the company’s history.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Highland Park, which was founded in the late 18th century, is located on Orkney, an archipelago in the far north of Scotland.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
  • At the far edge of the risk spectrum, crypto failed to bounce after last Friday’s $150 billion wipeout.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One way to mess with an option team’s Plan A is to not only stick them with third-and-forevers, but to put them in an early hole, making them throw out of desperation.
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019
  • Printed with thermochromic ink, the stamp reveals a second image of the moon when a finger is pressed to it, and a sheet of 16 Forever stamps features a map of the eclipse path.
    Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2017
Adverb
  • Diet Cherry Coke, which made a brief, limited-time comeback in retro cans and bottles sold at select retailers over the summer, is expected to return permanently in early 2026, Parade reported this week.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These hormones fluctuate during menstruation (your period) and menopause (after your period ends permanently).
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And although the modern age of gaming is mostly dominated by a Soulslike ethos of action that prioritizes methodical dodging and plodding, there are many fans who yearn for a return to the heyday of 2000s-era slash ‘em ups.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The people yearn for the phone.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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