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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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

Recent acquisitions include Richards River Camp in the Mara North Conservancy and a collection of properties in Rwanda, signaling ambitious growth beyond Kenya's borders.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Alongside such ambitious, long-term thinking, Biggs also needs to adopt an urgent, immediate approach to paying CPS’ bills right now.

— David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Noun

The plan emerged from the House speaker’s desire to limit state spending and pad the state’s reserves.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Motivated by a desire to preserve this rarefied world, and to learn more about the country that her parents had fled, Hélène enrolled at Sciences Po and became an expert on the region.

— Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 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

Bushby had a thirst for adventure, but his mission only came into focus when his father, Keith, sent him a birthday card in the mid-90s.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
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

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