as in desire
a strong wish for something
by four o'clock in the afternoon, I usually experience a strong longing for chocolate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pining
Related Words
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 longing
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
In a confined world of discipline, a girl’s quiet longing unfolds through a box of chocolate, where desire and control begin to dissolve.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Noun
Yes, this longing for connectedness is stronger in our culture than ever.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
In a confined world of discipline, a girl’s quiet longing unfolds through a box of chocolate, where desire and control begin to dissolve.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Werther, in his self-delusion, embodies another Goethean type, the longing man—ordinary, but convinced of the extraordinariness of his feelings.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for longing
Noun
-
Field Trip emerged as a response to a desire for ongoing learning.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
To appreciate that taking risks, acting like a total fool, and otherwise making hilariously bad decisions in the pursuit of desire can be one of lust’s greatest rewards so long as people are willing to learn about themselves in the process.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And if this doesn’t satisfy all your hot honey cravings, other brands have their own sweet and spicy creations, including Wingstop, Smithfield, Ritz, and even Aldi.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This shift helps explain why mental exhaustion often comes with stronger cravings for quick rewards, like sugary snacks, comfort foods or mindless scrolling.—
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
This is, in part, correct: Voldemort is extremely covetous of power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
There’s a thirst for community.—
Hannah Karp,
Billboard,
28 Jan. 2026
-
For decades, those in Region C have said more water is needed to quench the thirst population and business growth that has flocked to North Texas; meanwhile, Region D residents have pleaded for alternative options that wouldn’t displace them.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Give me 5 versions, each more ambitious than the last.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In a packed session, Tesla's CEO outlined an ambitious vision for robotaxis, humanoid robots, and AI development.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Always there has been this pull; to go out into the world and explore, and this urge to stay home, swim in the sea, grow a garden, live quietly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Roads are still covered with ice across North Texas as the urge to get out of the house or drive to work starts to weigh more heavily on many.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike restless Nora, Agnes is married with a son, able to view her deeply flawed dad from the vantage point of both a daughter and mother.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Many knitters describe the activity as a way to channel anxious or restless energy into something tangible.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was too much hunger and lack for gorgeous architecture to take hold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly one in 12 people worldwide suffers from hunger, while one-third of the world’s population cannot afford a healthy diet.—
Reem Alabali Radovan,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
