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
With its melancholy riffs and wistful lyrics, the track is tailor-made for tapping into teen angst once more.
—
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Salter remains wistful about the family Honus Wagner card currently rattling the world of collectibles.
—Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The song doesn’t have an overtly Christmas-y vibe, but late singer Freddie Mercury’s yearning, wistful vocals give it the feeling of sad-eyed holiday nostalgia so familiar from other blue Christmas yuletide classics.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2025
Thriving but wistful After deciding she was done with the VA, Goggin, the clinical social worker, made a profile on Psychology Today, found an office in a quiet commercial strip near her home and began providing therapy to private clients.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Salter remains wistful about the family Honus Wagner card currently rattling the world of collectibles.
—Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The song doesn’t have an overtly Christmas-y vibe, but late singer Freddie Mercury’s yearning, wistful vocals give it the feeling of sad-eyed holiday nostalgia so familiar from other blue Christmas yuletide classics.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2025
Thriving but wistful After deciding she was done with the VA, Goggin, the clinical social worker, made a profile on Psychology Today, found an office in a quiet commercial strip near her home and began providing therapy to private clients.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
-
Beware of doubling down on your nostalgic recall.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Despite the nostalgic West Virginia vibe, this Brentwood beauty is overflowing with California style.—
Architectural Digest,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The competition is split between Milan, where high fashion meets high-stakes athletics, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a dreamy mountain town nestled in the Italian Dolomites.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
6 Feb. 2026
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This month, savvy travelers can lock in exclusive savings with up to 40% off early bookings, discounts on adults-only hotels, and last-minute deals across dreamy beachfront destinations.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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At times, Epstein characterized the billionaire’s office as sloppy and amateurish, exposing him to taxes and reputational risks while making sensitive payments.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Heat also ran into its own sloppy play, committing 19 turnovers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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