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
Love, longing, humor and nostalgia tell the story in gorgeously sung compositions. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Carmy’s passion for cooking, along with his longing to be number one, aligns him with the sign of the ram. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 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
  • Cary, torn between his own desires and others’ expectations, can’t seem to determine where his loyalties lie.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in the 80-minute one-act play, which won Escola a Tony Award.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 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
  • Guests can also satisfy their sushi cravings at Miso Phat, located beside Kihei Caffe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • From gorgeous cakes to fruity popsicles, these blueberry dessert recipes will satisfy your sweet cravings.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 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
  • Independent filmmakers don’t have enough money to create thirst from ads.
    — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • Kombucha fans can quench their thirst at the Farmacy on Main’s unique kombucha bar.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2026
Definition of thirst
Adjective
  • Between a home with three young children and a pediatric clinic crowded with restless kids, the noise at times felt relentless.
    — Dana Suskind, Time, 14 July 2026
  • From the volatile peaks of Mount Etna to the restless Phlegraean Fields near Naples, understanding these unique gas signatures is important for assessing volcanic hazard.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of restless
Noun
  • The idea remains fan speculation rather than reported fact, but her announcement history makes the urge to investigate understandable.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • Spontaneous and slightly chaotic, this cerebral synergy can bring surprising news or perhaps even trigger the sudden urge to break out of a stagnant situation.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of longing for Spanish Speakers

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