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
New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The scene is idyllic, but the characters are suffering—from jealousy and longing and an overall failure to communicate.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Noun
Slowly, her longing to be part of his future took over the cake.
—New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The scene is idyllic, but the characters are suffering—from jealousy and longing and an overall failure to communicate.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 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
-
My time in public service has been defined by that same desire to make state government work for working people.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
People have the desire to evolve together, and get past the minor annoyances of a Gemini being too flighty for an intense Scorpio or a Leo’s dramatics overshadowing Taurus’s kindness.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These are simple enough to make on a busy weeknight but will satisfy those burger cravings.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Seems that in this age of digital everything there’s a strong craving for a little dose of analog.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 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
-
Jackson’s thirst for attention began in childhood.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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While uniting the community worldwide, the fasting tradition is meant to help Muslims experience the hunger and thirst of the poor and foster empathy and generosity.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
You’re not really allowed to be ambitious.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Stolz is halfway through his ambitious four-event program in Milan with two gold medals already.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its protein and fat content promote satiety, which can also reduce the urge to reach for sugary, quickly digested snacks that would cause more dramatic fluctuations.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
-
All throughout the film, there are images of terrible things being done to other creatures, as if to express the humans’ futile attempts to tamp down their natural urges.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Nigerian city of more than 20 million people is renowned for its hustle and bustle, its restless energy and commercial drive — a place where honks from signature yellow passenger buses fill the air.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Gainsbourg plays Charlotte’s protective sister, while Hellmann stars as a restless artist caught between love and loyalty and McAlpine plays a young aspiring dancer.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Above all, take on a volunteer shift serving food to really get to know what hunger looks like.—
Annemarie Dooling,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Congress has dismantled one of the nation’s most effective protections against hunger while extending tax cuts to wealthy Americans and corporations.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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