HANKERING Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

hankering 1 of 2

noun

as in craving

a strong wish for something I've had a hankering for pizza with anchovies all afternoon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hankering

2 of 2

adjective

as in longing

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Dissimilar Words

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 hankering

Noun

For those with a hankering for fine dining, head a few blocks north to MAASS and splurge on an intimate meal at its 14-seat Chef’s Counter. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026 Prior to preproduction on Godzilla x Kong, Wingard, after a day of writing Face/Off 2 at Barrett’s place, had a hankering for some tacos. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 Orange dream freeze at Your 3rd Spot A little sweet and a little sassy, the orange dream freeze satisfies a hankering for a cocktail and a dessert. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 21 June 2026 Though the bolt had an apparent hankering for coconuts and avoided a direct hit through my scalp, the current traveled through the earth, zapped my feet, and sent me jumping into the air and, ultimately, to the emergency room. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 If your hankering is for Chinese, then pop into bustling Taipei Express for a cheap and cheerful Sa Cha Chicken lunch combo. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankering

Noun

Ladybird Taco started with a breakfast craving, a homemade tortilla and a chance encounter that changed everything.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
And, later, a midnight snack of lobster rolls, hot dogs, and pizzas certainly quashed any late-night cravings.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of craving

Adjective

Its original location on a spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the salt pond may have been a bit too ambitious—after suffering damage from the 1938 New England Hurricane, it was relocated across the pond, reopening in 1939.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
This embryonic naval force could be developed further to cover more ambitious contingencies in the Black Sea, from sea surveillance to the protection of territorial integrity, as the Finnish-Swedish naval task force does in the Baltic Sea.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Noun

This has bred a culture of entitlement and an insatiable desire for the government to do more, while many demand to work less, if at all.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
That dream came true during the pandemic, when the two saw an opportunity to develop a hospitality concept that would remain true to the agricultural character of the property and feed people's ever-growing desire to be out in nature.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of desire

Adjective

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

Definition of covetous

Noun

Getting into spoilers, Matt’s escalating thirst for vengeance comes to a head at a nightclub owned by the mob boss who sliced up his face in the first place.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
As Telemundo did not take advantage of the breaks, electing instead to keep its cameras trained on the pitch as the players quenched their thirst, Fox enjoyed all the benefits from the new advertising opportunity.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of thirst

Adjective

Staff told me that the same families return every August because their children are so obsessed with the Kids Club counselors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Yet Before Hollywood became obsessed with Curry Barker, Markiplier opened the year in a submarine full of blood.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026