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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Anyone who doesn’t hold the same nostalgic hankering for veteran actresses holding court with one-woman shows might not be blamed for opting out.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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In the world of fashion, few things please us more than reliving a nostalgic moment.—
Tatiana Ojea,
Glamour,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Luna is dreamy, while Jane is matter-of-fact, even about family tragedies.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Shore Club Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Situated along Providenciales’ Long Bay Beach, The Shore Club checks all the boxes for a dreamy tropical island getaway for the whole family.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This team isn’t talented enough to beat the Ravens with errors and sloppy operation.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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Shares of Target have tumbled about 35% in the last year, as its own merchandising issues, a sloppier store experience and boycotts over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs all weigh on its business.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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