yearning 1 of 3

noun

ˈyər-niŋ How to pronounce yearning (audio)
Definition of yearningnext
as in longing
a strong wish for something had a sudden yearning for something sweet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

yearning

2 of 3

adjective

as in crying

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

yearning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of yearn
as in pining

Related Words

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 not everyone might need the CBC to feed their yearnings for archival footage. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Her desire to promote her Protestant faith, along with a yearning to expand England’s political authority, helped fuel a vicious campaign to take control of Ireland, where the Reformation’s teachings had not taken hold. — Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 Post-pandemic, Americans have been actively searching for ways to reconnect in person, with the New York Times documenting a widespread yearning for socialization that has reshaped how people spend their free time. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 World Cup fans were united this weekend by a song synonymous with belonging, nostalgia and the yearning for home. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for yearning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning
  1. longing
  2. crying
  3. craving
  4. pressing
  5. desire
  6. insistent
  7. urge
  8. urgent
Noun
  • History has shown us that the very celebration of our shared longing for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ensures that those values will endure.
    — Lonnie G. Bunch III, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • But what Spiro is writing about in most of these tunes is something a little more interesting than standard loss-and-longing fare.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of longing
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • Guests can also satisfy their sushi cravings at Miso Phat, located beside Kihei Caffe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • From gorgeous cakes to fruity popsicles, these blueberry dessert recipes will satisfy your sweet cravings.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of craving
Adjective
  • The world already possesses many of the tools needed to address its most pressing challenges.
    — Ekramy El Zaghat, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • External threats to the alliance’s global interests, in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, are real and pressing.
    — John Bolton, Washington Post, 6 July 2026
Definition of pressing
Noun
  • But no, instead he is forced to bro out with all the guys, worst of which is Charlie, whom Brooks understandably has zero desire to spend any time with whatsoever.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026
  • The bonus of birding For many birders, a growing appreciation for birds naturally leads to a desire to protect them.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 9 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
  • The idea remains fan speculation rather than reported fact, but her announcement history makes the urge to investigate understandable.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • Spontaneous and slightly chaotic, this cerebral synergy can bring surprising news or perhaps even trigger the sudden urge to break out of a stagnant situation.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of urge
Adjective
  • She can now only be reached through a regular phone line — a more costly option in a country where people rely heavily on WhatsApp for calls, messages, photos and urgent coordination.
    — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 10 July 2026
  • Season 3 begins with Captain Garnet (Christie Burke) splitting her crew to answer that urgent distress call, leaving the remaining members behind to defend Homebase 1 from the new planet's unknown secrets.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of urgent

Browse Nearby Words

yearn (for)
yearning
yearning (for)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on yearning

Nglish: Translation of yearning for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All