HANKERING (FOR OR AFTER) Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

hankering (for or after)

verb

present participle of hanker (for or after)

as in craving

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy hankering for some company in his lonely mountain cabin hanker after a life of leisure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankering (for or after)

Verb

In their new home, the past clings to Everton; restless, a bad joke, craving more, loud, glorious.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
This is a vehicle for anyone craving intense driving dynamics from an unusual, innovative machine that blends a car’s stability with much of the excitement and exposure of a motorcycle.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of craving

Verb

If a ticket is purchased to listen to an entertainer sing songs, that does not extend to wanting to hear the entertainer share personal political or religious beliefs.

— Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026
She can’t be faulted, then, for not wanting to take artistic advice from Stan Twitter.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of wanting

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.

Browse Nearby Words

hankering (for)

hankering (for or after)

hankers (for)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hankering (for or after).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankering%20%28for%20or%20after%29. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hankering (for or after)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nemesis

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes