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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

With nearly 100,000 videos made to its official audio, the mid-tempo ballad has become a user favorite for soundtracking TV edits, clips of romantic yearning, and videos capturing the changing seasons. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026 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 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

In the exclusive first-look clip above, O’Connor artfully grapples with his longing to return to music, hugging a past version of himself playing the violin as his face bleeds from a boxing injury.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Jeanne’s longing is pitiable, but its consequences are appalling.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of longing

Noun

Ladybird Taco started with a breakfast craving, a homemade tortilla and a chance encounter that changed everything.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
And, later, a midnight snack of lobster rolls, hot dogs, and pizzas certainly quashed any late-night cravings.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of craving

Adjective

Yet, recent history demonstrates a declining role for SED in providing necessary professional judgement in addressing our most pressing educational concerns.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Thirty-four percent ranked the price of groceries highest, and an equal number (23 percent) ranked the price of gas and protecting democracy as the most pressing issues of the moment.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressing

Noun

The plan emerged from the House speaker’s desire to limit state spending and pad the state’s reserves.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Motivated by a desire to preserve this rarefied world, and to learn more about the country that her parents had fled, Hélène enrolled at Sciences Po and became an expert on the region.

— Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of desire

Adjective

The meaning is largely in the emotion and intelligence Lily brings to bear upon her work, the process, the insistent intertwining of her creativity and her becoming.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
It was meant to be, as 860’s insistent underscoring by Marc Shaiman will often remind you.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

Hollywood largely stayed out of the fight despite what appears to be an increasingly urgent situation emerging in which workers across the industry are failing to qualify for union health insurance plans.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
With Anthropic expected to IPO sooner than later, an event that could tip the rest of the stock market into a tailspin, the question of how to cover this world without becoming an accessory to its interests feels ever more urgent.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of urgent

Cite this Entry

Style

“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of yearning

noun

adjective

verb

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