as in craving
a strong wish for something
I've had a hankering for pizza with anchovies all afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in longing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hankering
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s the bit missing these days, and that’s why there’s a hankering for what some people call the West Ham Way.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
And for the kids who get a hankering to try the sport/lifestyle, consider a learn-to camp.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And if fig is the focus but a cake isn’t calling your name, try one of these fresh and flavorful fig recipes to satisfy any sudden hankering.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
For those with a hankering for farm-to-table cuisine, Handle’s menu of fresh, simple dishes will satiate the craving.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
For them, socialism has meant only a hankering for state tyranny and brazen assaults on property rights that, together, threaten the beliefs every patriotic citizen holds dear.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Anyone who doesn’t hold the same nostalgic hankering for veteran actresses holding court with one-woman shows might not be blamed for opting out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
However, unlike the previous homeowner, the woman does not have any hankering to host any of those other kids in her yard.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
This piece combines a supporting character palette with a leading lady frame to make something perfect for those who have a hankering to whitewash but know better.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s the bit missing these days, and that’s why there’s a hankering for what some people call the West Ham Way.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
And for the kids who get a hankering to try the sport/lifestyle, consider a learn-to camp.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And if fig is the focus but a cake isn’t calling your name, try one of these fresh and flavorful fig recipes to satisfy any sudden hankering.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
For those with a hankering for farm-to-table cuisine, Handle’s menu of fresh, simple dishes will satiate the craving.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
For them, socialism has meant only a hankering for state tyranny and brazen assaults on property rights that, together, threaten the beliefs every patriotic citizen holds dear.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Anyone who doesn’t hold the same nostalgic hankering for veteran actresses holding court with one-woman shows might not be blamed for opting out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
However, unlike the previous homeowner, the woman does not have any hankering to host any of those other kids in her yard.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankering
Noun
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Our favorite dairy-free desserts cover every craving, from chocolaty to fruity to frozen.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The protein in yogurt slows digestion, while the berries provide antioxidants and just a hint of natural sweetness to satisfy your snack cravings.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Werther, in his self-delusion, embodies another Goethean type, the longing man—ordinary, but convinced of the extraordinariness of his feelings.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to a long winter season, the urge to travel to a warm and far-flung destination is tantalizing.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Resist the urge for knee-jerk reactions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
View gallery - 3 images Over the last few years, an ambitious moonshot project spun out of Google has been developing fascinating technologies to deliver connectivity across communities without the need for underground cables.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
28 Feb. 2026
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During his speech Friday, Parlow highlighted the strength of the school’s various fundraising efforts, including the newest Inspire Campaign, which has raised $480 million in the past three years — just $20 million shy of an ambitious target of $500 million by 2028.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And though there was no thought of the band continuing as Joy Division with another singer, there was a strong desire to continue playing together.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There is also bipartisan desire for a briefing on Iran, although Kim said a public hearing is more important.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For most healthy adults, drinking to satisfy thirst is a good rule of thumb.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson’s thirst for attention began in childhood.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sid’s next door neighbor and best friend, who became obsessed with her after Sidney’s book Out of Darkness encouraged her to kill her abusive husband.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2026
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While that controversy may have caused the politically-obsessed to view the men’s gold medal differently, Swayman was still very much walking on air.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hankering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankering. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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