as in longing
a strong wish for something
a sudden pining to have steak for dinner
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as in covetous
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Recent Examples of pining
Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
Zohran Mamdani has just moved in, and considering the thoughtful aesthetic details of his campaign—which his stylish first lady, artist Rama Duwaji, had a hand in designing—we’re pining for a look at how the couple decorates their new digs.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pining
Noun
-
What could have been a straightforward suburban critique is instead closer to a rich, deep baroque painting capturing longing, power, and hushed domestic drama.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The trailer opens with Moana longing for more beyond the reef of her home island, Motunui, as her grandmother, Gramma Tala (Rena Owen), shares a story.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
-
For a person struggling with substance abuse disorder, one strong craving can be the catalyst for a patient to completely abandon sobriety.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Poor sleep can drive cravings that will exacerbate a perimenopausal increase in appetite, so adequate rest is key.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pahlavi addressed the desire to see him the leadership role during his remarks.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Leo moon sparks your restless desires for fun and adventure.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Series creator Connor Hines, who penned the finale, and director Anthony Hemingway resist the urge to exploit the crash itself (thank God).—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Certainly, some people have a drive to collect, an urge to connoisseurship that seems innate.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Desperate from thirst, Husayn rode out of the camp with his infant son to appeal for water, but an enemy archer shot an arrow through the child’s neck.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As spring replaces winter’s chill, more people are reaching for a mix of spirits and mixers to quench their thirst.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pining. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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