as in desire
a strong wish for something
by four o'clock in the afternoon, I usually experience a strong longing for chocolate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pining
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of longing
Will Tizard, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Her voice unleashes a sentimental whirlpool of longing, betrayal, and post-breakup rage without a hint of irony.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
For a costume that takes no more than 30 seconds to perfect, simply place a dark cap on your head, throw on a matching jacket and walk around with a longing look on your face.
—Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
If that does turn out to be the case, there are plenty of other searches for extraterrestrials—such as NASA’s upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory—that can whet the appetite of those longing for signs of life elsewhere in the cosmos.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Noun
The resulting amalgam of curious thoughts, heartfelt angst, expressions of longing or dread, make for a raw, touching saga shared by dozens of people, all seemingly looking for meaning.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Her voice unleashes a sentimental whirlpool of longing, betrayal, and post-breakup rage without a hint of irony.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
For a costume that takes no more than 30 seconds to perfect, simply place a dark cap on your head, throw on a matching jacket and walk around with a longing look on your face.
—Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
If that does turn out to be the case, there are plenty of other searches for extraterrestrials—such as NASA’s upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory—that can whet the appetite of those longing for signs of life elsewhere in the cosmos.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for longing
Noun
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But Mamdani also shares Obama’s desire to reach out to adversaries and be a unifying force in politics.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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But all of these tropes, from the beard to the villain, are predicated on the idea that sexuality and desire are always legible on the body.—
Kelly Foster Lundquist,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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When chocolate cravings hit, this cake is the answer.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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From hearty whole wheat to soft sourdough and sweet Hawaiian, there’s a Half Loaf for every craving.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This is, in part, correct: Voldemort is extremely covetous of power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Reusable Water Bottle A long day of exploration can easily work up a thirst.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Zinna died of thirst and starvation, but the day would never be determined.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While Variety previously confirmed the actors would appear in the ambitious project from director Sam Mendes, their deals all closed this week, leading Sony Pictures to make the formal announcement of their casting.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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The infrastructure study is the latest in a series of moves by city officials to see Sunrise Mall — which has suffered in recent years from store vacancies and declining sales — redeveloped under an ambitious plan that includes housing, entertainment and hotels.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With a fresh sourdough breadcrumb topping, this creamy sweet potato side satisfies stuffing urges, mingling nicely with roast poultry and other autumnal sides, while channeling that classic casserole flavor.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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In such cases, solidarity and compassion themselves might seem like luxuries next to the all-conquering, primally selfish urge to save your own skin.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite three tumultuous relocations in the past half-century, most recently a defection to Sin City five years ago, the Raiders still have a rabid fan base — at Allegiant, every game day is Halloween — and the natives and transplants (including 62,080 attendees Sunday) are getting restless.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Recent celebratory concerts dedicated to the two have been sites not of reverence but of restless rediscovery.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the $250 million donation, bank employees will volunteer more than 100,000 hours by the end of the year to help organizations with hunger relief and other services.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
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But with Thanksgiving just around the corner, who's hurt most by hunger?—
Brittany Luse,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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