as in nostalgic
showing or evoking a sad longing for an often idealized past
She felt wistful looking through her college yearbook, remembering old friends she had not seen in decades.
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Recent Examples of wistful
The Last Class, set to reach an ever-wider audience with next Wednesday’s one-night-only event, touches with a wistful quality as Reich completes his final semester.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
In other hands, this would cue a standard disease-of-the-week weepie, but Coixet keeps the tone lightly wistful and wise, and trains her attention ever more minutely on Rohrwacher, who along with her character, seems to blossom gradually under this steady gaze.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
This week, Luke Combs is feeling wistful, Leon Thomas is feeling vindictive, and of course, the most anticipated pop release of the entire year is finally upon us.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
The personal nature of that inspiration may explain the film’s wistful tenderness and low-key atmosphere.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
In other hands, this would cue a standard disease-of-the-week weepie, but Coixet keeps the tone lightly wistful and wise, and trains her attention ever more minutely on Rohrwacher, who along with her character, seems to blossom gradually under this steady gaze.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
This week, Luke Combs is feeling wistful, Leon Thomas is feeling vindictive, and of course, the most anticipated pop release of the entire year is finally upon us.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
The personal nature of that inspiration may explain the film’s wistful tenderness and low-key atmosphere.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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Don’t skip peeking into Akiba Antiques, Lone Ranger Antiques (specializing in Swedish country antiques and Gustavian furniture), the Kodner Galleries auction house, or even the nostalgic media selection at Retroitis.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
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There are countless slasher films to choose from today, but there's something satisfyingly nostalgic about the genre tropes set up in the 1978 trailblazer.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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If one villa on Ibiza sounds dreamy, try two.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
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Stops include such dreamy destinations as Cozumel, Bimini, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, and Carnival's own ports of call Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Chelsea occasionally bypassed the press with Gusto, a right-back playing in midfield, and captain Reece James interchanging positions, but were not helped by sloppy moments.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Or that fixing problems like their sloppy first-quarter defense and stagnant run game — at least for one week — gives reason to believe their floor and ceiling will rise higher as the season progresses.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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