yen 1 of 2

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

yen (for)

2 of 2

verb

as in to crave
to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy what car lover doesn't yen for a new car at the start of every model year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
But at a production budget of 2 billion yen, the family film was still a money loser in theaters. — J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026 RadicalMedia is testing these waters as more advertisers demonstrate a yen to create their own content. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Patients can receive priority treatment for internal medicine and other specialties by paying 500 yen in addition to the consultation fee. — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026 Although the Bank of Japan recently raised its benchmark interest rate to stem the slide in the Japanese yen, the move was largely figured in for weeks. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 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
  • 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
Noun
  • This has bred a culture of entitlement and an insatiable desire for the government to do more, while many demand to work less, if at all.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That dream came true during the pandemic, when the two saw an opportunity to develop a hospitality concept that would remain true to the agricultural character of the property and feed people's ever-growing desire to be out in nature.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of desire
Noun
  • Getting into spoilers, Matt’s escalating thirst for vengeance comes to a head at a nightclub owned by the mob boss who sliced up his face in the first place.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As Telemundo did not take advantage of the breaks, electing instead to keep its cameras trained on the pitch as the players quenched their thirst, Fox enjoyed all the benefits from the new advertising opportunity.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of thirst
Noun
  • Jeon is marvelous in the role, allowing flashes of envy, resentment, and longing to surface beneath Mi-ok’s cheerful, accommodating manner without diminishing her warmth or loyalty.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Netizens proclaimed their affection for the rattan man, claiming a combination of intrigue, longing, and confusion.
    — Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of longing
Noun
  • Start by resisting the urge to overpromise, and give customers credit.
    — Chris Koehler, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Once the turkey is in the oven, resist the urge to keep checking on it.
    — Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • When the men become monstrous, the appetite for an alternative grows, even one that is stripped of all human identifiers.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The only thing that satiates Homer’s appetite is gorging on the unhoused.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of appetite
Noun
  • Driven by hunger, the pirates sailed through an opening the war in Iran blew wide open.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
  • To satisfy an immediate hunger, Sake has 20 appetizers spanning from yakitori, takoyaki, and edamame.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on yen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yen

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All