long 1 of 4

long

2 of 4

adverb

long

3 of 4

noun

long

4 of 4

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

longed for some rest

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own
thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

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 long
Adjective
The dress featured a high neckline and long Guinevere-style point sleeves to accommodate local dressing customs. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 19 May 2025 O’Neil lets the shot go on for an uncomfortably long time, his sobs audible and LaBeouf silently choking up onscreen. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
Adverb
Monitoring the health of presidents has long been a difficult enterprise, back to the disabling stroke that Woodrow Wilson suffered in 1919; his wife became his gatekeeper. Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Vidya Balan has long been a pioneer in Hindi Cinema — or Bollywood as it’s more often called — inciting change in the portrayal of women through her mold-breaking leading roles. Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Noun
Charity longs to be her sister’s everything, including her, well, lover. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025 The film has made history as the longest-running theatrical release of all time with midnight reenactments and sing a longs across the globe. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
Several numbers have a been-there feel, such as when Itzel sings metaphorically about longing for the freedom of a bird. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025 And as Yuri, longing for a family unit to call her own, Zengel couldn’t be better. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for long
Adjective
  • The sword consists of a short, elongated, pointed blade with a handle with antennas, made of iron, combined with spheres made of copper alloys or copper.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • The track also featured a rumble strip on the left for Turn 14, and the apex of Turn 15 was a bit elongated, both of which should help drivers navigate the section.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is the latest and is an attempt to pick ten memorable goals from a lengthy list.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • For years, the immigration control agencies have been hampered by a lengthy hiring process, high attrition rates and difficulties in attracting qualified candidates.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Songs that should blaze by are sluggish while tunes that should pine and linger are sped through.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Even a Please Don’t Destroy video about Madison pining to do a prestige TV show about SpongeBob SquarePants, with Madison made up as Squidward, was a recycled idea from when Bad Bunny appeared as Shrek.
    Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The tusk, which is actually an elongated tooth, is mainly found in males and can grow up to 10 feet long.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Milk Chocolate For those with darker skin tones, a milk chocolate mani will match seamlessly and elongate fingers.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In the far west, where Fort Worth dips into Parker County, the Walsh and Veale Ranch communities are expected to house roughly 80,000 residents.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
  • As for McTominay, the midfielder’s movement towards the far post prevents Giorgio Scalvini from following Politano and keeps De Roon in a more central position.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Adverb
  • In order to fit in and impress her new friend Charlene, Marlene crosses a line that will forever change her life.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2025
  • Anna Pigeon — Premieres in 2026 Anna Pigeon is a former city slicker who became a park ranger after a devastating loss changed the trajectory of her life forever.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Increasingly, professionals in midlife are yearning—some by choice, others from necessity—for reinvention.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • There’s also this timeless, yearning quality to your work in Journey.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Here in the first city, the Catholic Church is at an extended crossroads of its own, calling for its leaders and adherents to engage in strategic planning and soul-searching of their own.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
  • There were nearly 40 years between the first two Beetlejuice movies, and while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the Big Fish director reasoned that another extended wait would probably prevent him from helming a third movie.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 10 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on long

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!