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

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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
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
  1. longing
  2. crying
  3. craving
  4. pressing
  5. desire
  6. insistent
  7. urge
  8. urgent
Noun
  • Humans have speculated about eternal life since ancient times, Gershwin said, and the longing is close to universal.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • King, the urban refugee recalls running carefree in the woods long ago and claims such memories express a universal canine longing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 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
  • For kiddos and adults, fruit serves as a healthy alternative to candy, delivering vitamins, fiber, and hydration while satisfying sweet cravings.
    — Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ostensibly, GLP-1s don’t just quiet the appetite but also impact broader cravings.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of craving
Adjective
  • The International Energy Agency warned Wednesday that the reopening of the vital waterway is becoming more pressing, as the world burns through its oil stockpiles at a rapid pace.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Argentine repeatedly won possession with his pressing and positional sense.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressing
Noun
  • Emery’s desire to blood Madjo early was ultimately reflected in picking him to start ahead of Tammy Abraham — who the club are willing to listen to offers for — in Salzburg.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Modern food consumption is also a good example of how abundance doesn’t necessarily eliminate the desire for luxury.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of desire
Adjective
  • So why were the Board of Peace and mediators insistent on moving forward with the plan now?
    — Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of insistent
Noun
  • There are shocking twists but on such a grand scale that the urge to laugh is as strong as the urge to scream.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There’s an urge to preserve something sacred and ancient, to avoid handing everything over to our brightly lit, modern world.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of urge
Adjective
  • Practicing isolating these muscles and squeezing them when not in urgent need of a bathroom can help in the longer term when dealing with the need to go to the bathroom without a toilet readily available.
    — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The grand jury believed that LINXS took advantage of the urgent need to get the project done for high profile sporting events as a way to leverage change order demands.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of urgent

Browse Nearby Words

yearn (for)
yearning
yearning (for)
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of yearning for Spanish Speakers

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