YEARNING Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

yearning 1 of 3

noun

ˈyər-niŋ

Definition of yearning

as in longing

a strong wish for something had a sudden yearning for something sweet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

yearning

2 of 3

adjective

as in crying

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Dissimilar Words

yearning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of yearn

as in pining

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of yearning

Noun

But the Deadheads also evince an honest yearning for something that’s tribal, primitive, sacred, ancient, shamanic, ecstatic. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 July 2026 Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in the 80-minute one-act play, which won Escola a Tony Award. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 The scene forever changed the lyrics of Tyler’s hit to something much more profane, but no less yearning. — Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 The heroine’s eyes are filled with yearning, her eyelashes glistening and ever-so-perfectly clumped? — Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for yearning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning

Noun

At first glance, the Irwin Pizza Hut’s preservation of its 1990s aesthetic seems like a simple case of promoting a nostalgic longing for the past.

— Jeff Galak, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
This is, at times, a wrenching novel, strewn with broken bodies, but its atrocities never overwhelm its faith in creaturely communion, and in grief and longing that clarify, rather than obscure, one’s desires and selfhood.

— Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of longing

Noun

But to your brain, romance may look less like affection and more like craving, stress, and reward.

— Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Low energy, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, fainting, brittle or thin nails, hair loss, cravings to chew ice and restless legs syndrome are a few signs, according to Thomas.

— Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of craving

Adjective

Her teams work at the intersection of business strategy and technology, helping customers and partners translate the most pressing priorities of their industries into measurable outcomes through AI and the infrastructure that powers it.

— Hayley Tabor, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The question of what to do with his company became even more pressing after Smith’s wife, Jo, died in 2021.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of pressing

Noun

In the Public Employment Relations Board filing, SEIU Local 1000 shared its desire to make suggestions on AI and technology that could affect employment matters, such as pay, productivity expectations, schedules and working conditions.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
His three-day sentencing hearing featured emotional victim impact statements, tapes of his confessions to police and insights into his twisted desire for infamy and obsession with school shooters.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of desire

Adjective

James Madison was insistent that Congress was the most important and powerful branch, especially the House, which was closest to the people and, being elected every two years, would infuse new blood and new ideas into Congress in perpetuity.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Frightening and insistent, impossible yet certain, a feeling more powerful than knowledge.

— Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of insistent

Noun

Let go of any lingering urges or habits to play it small because when eclipses arrive, there’s higher potential for big life changes.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Before returning from vacation, a retreat or even a demanding week, resist the urge to jump back into action.

— Angela Cusack, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of urge

Adjective

Powerful open-weight systems make this work more urgent because their capabilities can be modified and deployed outside the controls of their original developers.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
This is an urgent issue for the rare disease community that deserves the attention of Congress.

— Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026

Definition of urgent

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“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of yearning

noun

adjective

verb

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