as in longing
a strong wish for something
had a sudden yearning for something sweet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in crying
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
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Thrud is precocious, inquisitive, curious, and fearless, with a natural yearning for knowledge.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s alcoholism and violence – especially by men against women – but there’s also a yearning that can stir up grit or fortitude.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
If the first four episodes of Bridgerton’s swoon-worthy fourth season were about desperate, hungry yearning, then the final four were more about, er, consummation—complete with secret trysts, steaming hot baths, false identities, and genuinely big shocks.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yearning
Noun
Bachman and Cummings say there's a yearning for classic rock songs played live, especially in this age of AI and music-writing software.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Thrud is precocious, inquisitive, curious, and fearless, with a natural yearning for knowledge.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s alcoholism and violence – especially by men against women – but there’s also a yearning that can stir up grit or fortitude.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
If the first four episodes of Bridgerton’s swoon-worthy fourth season were about desperate, hungry yearning, then the final four were more about, er, consummation—complete with secret trysts, steaming hot baths, false identities, and genuinely big shocks.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yearning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning
Noun
-
Bunbury’s unmistakable voice weaves through a tapestry of blues, country, and rock, anchored by a nostalgic guitar that evokes both longing and resolve.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The result is that Russia not only looks like a second-order power but one that is, perhaps unexpectedly, longing for the bygone world of rules, norms, and institutions.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
-
Hero Diner slings fluffy brioche breakfast sandwiches , doughnuts, and kolaches at multiple locations and is open into the late afternoon for quality burgers and midday cravings.—
Bob Carlton,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
-
From chocolate walnut sea salt cookies to an assortment of seasonal cheesecakes and a rainbow of French macarons, your sweet cravings are guaranteed to be satisfied.—
Morgan Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
MacMillan said low insurance coverage and fair pay are the most pressing issues for teachers.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball’s driving seems more pressing than Magic City.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The desire for attention and air of rebellion?—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Their departures illustrate just how complicated the entire roster equation is, and perhaps how availability could outweigh the desire for name-power in future configurations.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The franchise can’t provide a cohesive argument to defend its insistent pursuit of a middling standing.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The drums become more insistent, the harmonies stack higher, and suddenly all the movement has a direction.—
Precious Fondren,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Even as the industry leans into horror at the box office and in the press, its upper echelon shows an equally strong urge to use the genre’s intensity as an excuse to look away from the nightmares that most need illuminating.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Burman's Wing Sauces Warming weather rises in tandem with our urge to get out to the grill.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For its tender and urgent vision, the George Kalogeropoulos MFI Award goes to THE LAST CLASS (Michele Fornasero, Alice Drago).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
-
This event clearly shows an urgent need for better traffic enforcement on Jamaica Ave.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
