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
Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
This can lead to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression or a constant state of longing, focusing on external validation rather than internal self-worth.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Noun
But to those longing for signs of the approaching change in seasons, Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes — a steppingstone to the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby beyond that — provided a hint of warmer days to come.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
This can lead to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression or a constant state of longing, focusing on external validation rather than internal self-worth.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 27 Feb. 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
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General manager Kyle Davidson expressed pregame his desire to keep the right winger.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Creature thinks his suffering can only cease if it is replicated in another, and expresses this desire through possessive, dehumanizing language.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pretzel pieces, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and colorful candies fulfill your sweet and salty cravings.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
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Lamba said she’s seen the craving for social connection increase with the rise of social media, but that creating community can often happen in untraditional places, like Glo30.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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Throughout the day, in small sips every 30 to 60 minutes to prevent thirst and dehydration, and keep digestion smooth.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
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But Connor imagines that our thirst for dystopias has only just begun.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Career conversations ask for calm leadership as the vibrant Sun embraces clever Mercury in your 10th House of Respect, invigorating you with ambitious potential.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
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As their most ambitious composer, Wise set his sights on the console’s SPC700 sound chip, maximizing its potential by conceiving an inventive, maddeningly strenuous composition process.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Resisting the urge to pause for a photo every few steps could very well become your biggest challenge of the trip; that, or deciding where to eat.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Usually this practice demands restraint, even if the urge is to scatter tinsel over every line.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But for Farelo, a restless artist who describes herself as endlessly curious, that was just the beginning.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2026
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The restless first movement does quite a variety of things with an underlying waltz rhythm.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Over the years, Darron Edwards’ south Kansas City congregation has made sure students have clean clothes and school supplies, distributed food to stave off hunger among those in need and provided mental health resources to churchgoers.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
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Choose Protein-Rich Snacks Snacks are a helpful way to tame hunger and provide extra energy throughout the day.—
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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