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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pining
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of longing
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
This potent synergy could leave you questioning the strength of your emotional foundations while challenging your dreams and longings in unexpected ways.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 June 2025
My research focuses on nostalgia – a sentimental longing for treasured moments in our personal pasts – and how nostalgia is linked to our well-being and feelings of connection with others.
—Chelsea Reid, The Conversation, 17 June 2025
Wilson was the visionary of the defining American rock band, one who competed with the Beatles to move pop music into new realms of sophistication and invention, while writing songs capturing the longing of an ascendant youth culture.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Verb
Brian spent his life turning his pain and longing into dreams for the whole world to share.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
This potent synergy could leave you questioning the strength of your emotional foundations while challenging your dreams and longings in unexpected ways.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 June 2025
My research focuses on nostalgia – a sentimental longing for treasured moments in our personal pasts – and how nostalgia is linked to our well-being and feelings of connection with others.
—Chelsea Reid, The Conversation, 17 June 2025
Wilson was the visionary of the defining American rock band, one who competed with the Beatles to move pop music into new realms of sophistication and invention, while writing songs capturing the longing of an ascendant youth culture.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for longing
Noun
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Despite a desire for growth, one thing that will not change is the name of the market, which honors Zelazko’s mother and father-in-law.—
Olivia Lee,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
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Advertisement Norris said law enforcement did not know if there was a connection between Roley's desire to become a firefighter at one point and the shooting.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 July 2025
Noun
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These are patterns that include the craving for excitement or intense experiences.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Eating dark chocolate in the morning may boost mood and reduce your cravings for sweets later while eating it in the afternoon can provide you a boost in energy.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Image Meet Me at the Crossroads by Megan Giddings The sudden appearance of seven mysterious doors across the world draws attention from religious sects, covetous billionaires and everyday people who speculate over what lies on the other side.—
Laura Thompson,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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His approach, on and off the pitch, has had a transformative effect and as Palace seek to secure him on a new contract, there have been covetous glances cast in his direction from clubs in the German Bundesliga.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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California’s existing groundwater infrastructure may fail to quench the state’s thirst in an increasingly arid future, even as officials celebrate widespread conservation achievements, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) warned on Tuesday.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
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And for a nightcap, guests have not one, but two bar options to quench their thirst for spirits and top shelf drinks.—
Karla Pope,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Oh Ae-sun (played by K-pop superstar IU, who also portrays Ae-sun’s daughter Geum-myeong) is a poor but ambitious girl who grows up on South Korea’s Jeju Island in the 1950s and 1960s.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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This year’s edition, moreover, is more ambitious than ever.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Resist the urge to stick exclusively with people from the same background who all see the world the same way.—
Robert E. Siegel,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
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Most importantly, resist the urge to settle or lower your standards because dating feels hard.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Joya was restless, not just her eyes but all of her.—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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But there’s also a fine line between being restless and being reckless, especially as their own record and the ups and downs of others clarify the landscape.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The hunger for dialogue, mentorship, and community was evident at every turn—from packed panel discussions to spontaneous debates between generations of image-makers.—
Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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Oats may increase satiety, reducing hunger and food intake.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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