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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hankering

2 of 2

adjective

as in longing

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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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankering

Noun

Although The Love Witch played around 100 theaters upon its 2016 debut, will audiences’ cravings for something different be enough to secure a wide release for The Face of Horror a decade later?

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Needing coffee immediately upon waking and experiencing afternoon fatigue, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and sugar cravings.

— Marie Bladt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of craving

Noun

Match the setup to the actual disruption, whether that’s snoring, temperature clash, mismatched schedules or none of the above, and ignore the urge to simply go with what’s trendy this month.

— Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
All three films also emphasize the physical toll of the urge to smash, snag, and steal.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of urge

Adjective

Takaichi introduces tax cut and ambitious spending Takaichi, as part of her measures to combat rising prices, has pushed a two-year cut in the consumption tax to 1% from the current 8% and payouts to households.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Takaichi also kept Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, her longtime confidant who has been implementing her ambitious spending policy, and Economy and Fiscal Policy Minister Minoru Kiuchi.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambitious

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

Expect art displays from local artists and makers, live music and performances, mouthwatering grub, and a thirst-quenching beer and margarita booth.

— Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 15 Sep. 2026
McCaffrey dealt with cramps in the first half and finished with 10 carries for 68 yards, while the rookie Black showed his thirst for contact and speed with 14 carries for 65 yards.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of thirst

Adjective

These demands are not likely to ease as football becomes more obsessed with physicality, so, from an Arsenal perspective, the importance of not overloading their right-backs only heightens.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The victim’s mother, 60-year-old Adra Pegues, said the killer recently went on a first date with her daughter and then became obsessed with Davis, who wasn’t interested in a second date.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026