pining 1 of 3

noun

as in longing
a strong wish for something a sudden pining to have steak for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pining

2 of 3

adjective

as in covetous

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

pining

3 of 3

verb

present participle of pine
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 pining
Noun
Reporter and Army vet Mare (Chelsea Frei) does a little secret pining for the new boss. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 De la Fuente has received a lot of criticism from the media and Spanish fans online for Monday’s performance, and there is a lot of nostalgic pining for former assistant manager Pablo Amo, who left the coaching staff in February 2025 but who many say was the real mastermind of the Euro 2024 squad. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 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
  1. longing
  2. covetous
  3. craving
  4. desire
  5. urge
  6. thirst
Noun
  • At first glance, the Irwin Pizza Hut’s preservation of its 1990s aesthetic seems like a simple case of promoting a nostalgic longing for the past.
    — Jeff Galak, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
  • This is, at times, a wrenching novel, strewn with broken bodies, but its atrocities never overwhelm its faith in creaturely communion, and in grief and longing that clarify, rather than obscure, one’s desires and selfhood.
    — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of longing
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
  • Families also can choose from five diverse restaurants, while stations for broths and ice cream satisfy other cravings.
    — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026
  • His research now reveals revenge operates like an addiction in the brain, activating craving and reward centers while silencing rational thought.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of craving
Noun
  • In the Public Employment Relations Board filing, SEIU Local 1000 shared its desire to make suggestions on AI and technology that could affect employment matters, such as pay, productivity expectations, schedules and working conditions.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • His three-day sentencing hearing featured emotional victim impact statements, tapes of his confessions to police and insights into his twisted desire for infamy and obsession with school shooters.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of desire
Noun
  • Let go of any lingering urges or habits to play it small because when eclipses arrive, there’s higher potential for big life changes.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Before returning from vacation, a retreat or even a demanding week, resist the urge to jump back into action.
    — Angela Cusack, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • Staying hydrated is especially important since GLP-1 medications can reduce thirst for some people, and travel itself — especially flying, hot weather, or long sightseeing days — may already increase the risk of dehydration.
    — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Vuskovic’s thirst to improve is accompanied by a temperament to deal with setbacks, indicating a maturity beyond his years.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of thirst

Browse Nearby Words

pinholes
pining
pining (away)
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Cite this Entry

“Pining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pining. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pining

Nglish: Translation of pining for Spanish Speakers

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