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

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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
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 And, really, what [emo] meant to us was being introspective with your lyrics and talking about your own personal struggles and your own personal pain and your feelings of yearning and stuff like that, instead of fighting external forces. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026 And what’s dramatic about this is that having grown up on a remote mountain farm in the 1940s, away from almost any remnant of civilization, Mikey has zero context for his erotic yearnings. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 If your yearning for autumn kicks off early, here are three September festivals near Charlotte. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 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
  • 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
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • Here’s why real pumpkin deserves a place in your diet, plus delicious ways to satisfy your cravings this fall.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Keep one in your freezer for whenever your pumpkin pie craving strikes.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of craving
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
  • Alfonso recalled their discussions about how setting and movement could express the desire to survive.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The desire for these transformative products was never innate, and LACMA’s exhibition zeroes in on that idea from the start.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 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
  • Anthropic’s researchers tested fifteen other AI models on the same simulation, and found that all of them displayed similar urges.
    — Kevin Roose, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The shelter concluded its post by warning people to resist any urge to catch the snake.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of urge
Adjective
  • Her songs feel urgent and unfiltered; Rodrigo sings about the negative sides of herself, too, whether that’s feelings of jealousy or obsession.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Torres recommends establishing a coverage plan ahead of cold and flu season, so employees know who will take their shift or handle urgent work.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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