longing 1 of 3

noun

ˈlȯŋ-iŋ How to pronounce longing (audio)
Definition of longingnext
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

longing

2 of 3

adjective

as in pining

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

longing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of long
as in yearning

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
Noun
The Homeric epic has much to interest adults about longing, loyalty, belonging, self-definition, the interplay of responsibility and luck and fate. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 After Jonah’s longing gaze at a ballpark frank went viral, the Miami Marlins tracked him down and invited him back for a game full of treats. — Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 15 July 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
  1. desire
  2. covetous
  3. craving
  4. ambitious
  5. thirst
  6. restless
  7. urge
  8. obsessed
Noun
  • For years, the Royals have searched for a quality outfielder, and that desire remains.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • Villa’s desire to address this position has grown in prominence over the summer, with Jadon Sancho’s loan ending, Evann Guessand and Leon Bailey available to leave and Villa having the money to spend from Rogers’ sale.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of desire
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of covetous
Noun
  • Irritability and low energy and a knife-sharp craving for isolation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Barnes & Noble is back from the dead; so is the indie bookstore, buoyed by a post-pandemic craving for in-person events and non-algorithmic recommendations.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of craving
Adjective
  • If African countries want to meet their ambitious industrialization goals, improving education outcomes — especially in STEM subjects — is a prerequisite, experts argued.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
  • Indeed, some of the country’s most ambitious conservation work is focused on restoring ecosystems, preserving indigenous cultures and rewilding landscapes that had been altered by agriculture.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of ambitious
Noun
  • Scattered on the dunes, the surviving population of Gaza was reduced to bare existence, subject to unrelenting hunger and thirst under the ever-present hum of killer drones and bomber jets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • Stay hydrated in the heat Summer heat raises the body’s fluid needs, and thirst is often mistaken for hunger.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of thirst
Adjective
  • The brand is part of a fast-growing category of functional desserts targeting people who still want something sweet before bed but no longer want the payoff of a restless night.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Between philosophy and flesh, jealousy and freedom, spring unfolds as a restless search for love, nature, and the fragile ethics of attachment.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of restless
Noun
  • But for whatever reason, SNL didn’t inspire the urge to vote that Hacks or Shrinking or Widow’s Bay did.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • Protein is more satiating than carbohydrates alone and may reduce the urge to snack before lunch.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Definition of urge
Adjective
  • In the film, Scott’s Tom Kennedy long ago cut ties with his father Pete Willis (De Niro), mostly because the former cop was way too obsessed with his work.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
  • Maher concluded his acceptance by noting that he’s never been too obsessed with collecting awards hardware.
    — Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026
Definition of obsessed

Browse Nearby Words

long hauls
longing
longing (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of longing for Spanish Speakers

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