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
When Elizabeth announces her rejection of Mr. Collins’s proposal, Wright’s camera focuses on Mary, whose face fills with a wistful expression.
—
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
But there’s also something wistful about it, as if its characters had glimpsed a possibility of freedom, unity, and happiness that, nearly 100 years later, is still out of reach.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Talent cannot thrive at Manchester United Manchester United still looks at its past with wistful eyes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The rapper’s latest includes wistful trap anthems ruminating on his trials and tribulations, as well as menacing drill tracks and more melodic songs tapping into his romantic side to cater to his female fan base — all of which were run by Durk’s legal team before heading to streaming services.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
But there’s also something wistful about it, as if its characters had glimpsed a possibility of freedom, unity, and happiness that, nearly 100 years later, is still out of reach.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Talent cannot thrive at Manchester United Manchester United still looks at its past with wistful eyes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The rapper’s latest includes wistful trap anthems ruminating on his trials and tribulations, as well as menacing drill tracks and more melodic songs tapping into his romantic side to cater to his female fan base — all of which were run by Durk’s legal team before heading to streaming services.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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Dialing into other nostalgic, but popular music, the line has a show playing the hits of Queen, marrying a live rock band with orchestral and aerialist accompaniment in the Panorama Lounge.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
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De Tomaso teased images of its creation last year, a $1.6 million hypercar, or supercar, with decidedly nostalgic looks that befit a marque whose peak was decades ago.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The players drifting through Martin’s dreamy film include Daisy Ridley, Eliot Sumner, Willem Dafoe (seen here), and a host of other beautiful people.—
Lynn Yaeger,
Vogue,
16 May 2025
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Don’t delay: These dreamy discounts won’t last long.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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State police said the issue was overblown as an independent report for Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration stated that the controversy was largely a problem of sloppy record-keeping, mistakes, and lack of training — and not intentional misconduct.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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