as in longing
a strong wish for something
had a sudden yearning for something sweet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in crying
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of yearning
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Platt’s and Zegler’s voices flawlessly alternated from song to song, reaching the rafters with heartbreak and humor, yearning and love.
—Julia Edelstein, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
On the group’s fourth album in six years, there are songs about doomscrolling, drinking, drugs, and self-loathing—alongside themes of breakups, addiction, and the yearning for a different future.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
The mantra presents the image of a ripe cucumber becoming untethered from its vine, evoking a deep desire for liberation from the physical world—a strong yearning for an unbounded, eternal, and therefore immortal condition.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yearning
Noun
It is supposed to be the first ship in a flotilla that will carry economic development, national self-interests, and the yearning for scientific discovery to the moon.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Platt’s and Zegler’s voices flawlessly alternated from song to song, reaching the rafters with heartbreak and humor, yearning and love.
—Julia Edelstein, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
On the group’s fourth album in six years, there are songs about doomscrolling, drinking, drugs, and self-loathing—alongside themes of breakups, addiction, and the yearning for a different future.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
The mantra presents the image of a ripe cucumber becoming untethered from its vine, evoking a deep desire for liberation from the physical world—a strong yearning for an unbounded, eternal, and therefore immortal condition.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yearning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning
Noun
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
-
As Carolyn, Emma Ramos is particularly expressive, drawing quietly on deep reserves of pain and longing.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
-
Yet, at the same time, relentless convenience (or being sold the idea of relentless convenience) warps the brain in ways that make nostalgic cravings somewhat inevitable.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Ever get a craving for that goodness?—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The group argued the city and state have more pressing issues that need to be funded, like affordable housing and public transit.—
Dylan Lysen,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
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The more pressing concern for the Celtics veteran, however, is shaking off his rough start to the NBA playoffs.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Part of it was a desire to stick things out with his teammates.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The team wanted to keep Phillips and even engaged in conversations with Trey Hendrickson, showing the desire for a high-level edge rusher to join Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith in the top three.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In Ta’ni t’äj wet mak ta otakie/Caparazón de tortuga y el futuro (Tortoise Shell and the Future, 2023), different registers dissolve into zones—motifs floating free of any containing structure, an insistent celebration of color.—
María Carri,
Artforum,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Callaghan is insistent that the resurrected All Gas, No Brakes remain politics-free.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This new moon will infuse you with the sudden urge to leave your comfort zone, Thomas says.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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When fostering in an apartment for the first time, resist the urge to get a puppy.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, as Mercury joins Mars, conversations speed up and action feels urgent.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers issue urgent warnings.—
Dan Romito,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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