1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

yen

noun

Definition of yennext
as in craving
a strong wish for something I have a strange yen to take the day off from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 yen The recipients of the 15 million yen prize (approximately $95,000), are Jenny Holzer (painting), Andy Goldsworthy (sculpture), Daniel Libeskind (architecture), Herbert Blomstedt (music), and Cate Blanchett (theater/film). — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026 In addition, the Japan Art Association has awarded a grant of 5 million yen (about $32,000) to France’s La Source Garouste association for its work supporting young artists. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Its value has rebounded after the dollar surged to the 160 yen level last week. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026 The weak yen is also impacting touring economics, increasing costs for international artists. — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yen
  1. craving
  2. desire
  3. thirst
  4. longing
  5. urge
  6. appetite
  7. hunger
Noun
  • Kanarek, a former heroin user, now took Suboxone to ease cravings.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • For customers who still miss this seasonal treat, the new mini pies will undoubtedly satisfy your craving.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of craving
Noun
  • Her work in this area could be rewarded in Europe, where there is growing frustration with the United States as a reliable partner in space and a desire to have independent access to orbit for European astronauts.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • While Smith was on the IL, backup catcher Dalton Rushing was thrown into the starting role, learning how to balance the defensive responsibility of serving as the main backstop at the major-league level with a desire to also contribute offensively.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of desire
Noun
  • This short, high-spirited tall tale careens through an all-Black Oklahoma town bursting with gossip, humor and a thirst for justice.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Anecdotally, gardeners find that thirst drives this behavior.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of thirst
Noun
  • What shines through, however, are the lively longings of Kit herself as the movie doubles down on an interest in science that is only intimated in the novel.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As the symbols of the winter of 2026 become folk art in Minnesota, there continues to be a longing for answers, and for a recognition of the lasting damage that the surge inflicted on the state.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of longing
Noun
  • But almost immediately, so, too, was the duo’s urge to get back to work.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • After years staying in her home state during the pandemic, Hagerman has resisted the urge to upsize her house to keep rent costs down.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • Every request goes through two stages with opposite hardware appetites.
    — Ido Susan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Some movies are made to endure in the public’s affection, such that there’s appetite for a follow-up even decades later.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of appetite
Noun
  • More than half the population is estimated to need humanitarian assistance because of surging gang violence amid deepening poverty and hunger.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For more than 40 years, Weld Food Bank has been fighting hunger across all of Weld County.
    — Libby Smith, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hunger

Phrases Containing yen

Browse Nearby Words

yelps
yen
yen (for)
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Yen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yen. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on yen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yen

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of facsimile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All