YEARNINGS 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

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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

Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in 1979, limerence describes a state of extreme infatuation fueled by a prolonged yearning for approval or reciprocation. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026 There is a quiet yearning to know himself—to find for himself a more substantial backstory and sense of belonging—in what Shimoda pieces together. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Students’ response to this approach has been full of gratitude, curiosity, respect, and a yearning for growth professionally and personally. — David Elkowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026 Indeed, the polar opposite of both Number One’s icy demeanor and Chapel’s long-suffering yearning, Majel is remembered by friends and colleagues as a boisterous, brassy, take-no-prisoners presence. — Scott Huver, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yearning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning

Noun

The Incredible Hulk, the Thing, He-Man, Superman—these cartoon heroes must fulfill some kind of longing.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of longing

Adjective

The summit will explore the latest research and help separate the science from the hype around some of the most pressing issues in women’s health today.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
For Oldenziel, one of the most pressing challenges is ensuring that inspections translate into actual improvements on the factory floor.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressing

Noun

Trump has expressed his desire to acquire Greenland since 2019 and, during his second term, issued threats to seize the territory from Denmark, a NATO ally.

— Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Gray Wielebinski’s new site-specific Production (2026) will transform the fair’s public toilets into an intimate olfactory environment, where scent, bodily function, privacy, desire, and surveillance will converge.

— Jade Wilson, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of desire

Adjective

Del Toro was insistent that the texture and grain of the original movie, which was shot on film, remain.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
In 2016, Senator Bernie Sanders shocked the Democratic establishment by running a close race against Hillary Clinton for the Party’s Presidential nomination, thanks to his insistent focus on income and wealth inequality.

— Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of insistent

Noun

When a genuine problem arises, said Ryan Jane Jacoby, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, resist the urge to eliminate every unknown.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
But if the urge to work up a sweat arises, there’s a heated outdoor swimming pool and a full-size grass tennis court.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of urge

Adjective

These appointments focus on urgent relief, but appointments and follow-ups that take a more preventative approach to identify underlying causes are available, too.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
A week ago, a call between the US president and his Russian counterpart seemed to be about an urgent clarification over a possible outbreak of plague in Siberia.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of urgent

Cite this Entry

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“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of yearning

noun

adjective

verb

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