long 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce long (audio)
Definition of longnext
1
as in elongate
of great extent from end to end giraffes have long necks to help them reach leaves on tall trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lengthy
lasting for a considerable time if it's boring, even a movie with a running time of 90 minutes can seem long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

2 of 4

adverb

as in perennially

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

long

3 of 4

noun

as in forever
a long or seemingly long period of time they should be here before long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

4 of 4

verb

as in to pine

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

longed for some rest

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own
thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

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 long
Adjective
An initial analysis found that the pile of amphorae is about 70 feet long, 20 feet wide and over 6 feet tall. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 She is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Deng says hunter-gatherer populations, long underrepresented in genomic research, have allowed the survival of genetic signatures tied to ancient history and have also led to new adaptations. — Willow Zhang, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026 Measuring roughly 224 feet long, the eleventh-century masterwork depicts the events surrounding the Duke of Normandy’s conquest of England. — News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
This year’s 10-day-long edition brought together an international slate of independent films across narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and short-form categories. — Matt Minton, Variety, 9 June 2026 The final chapters focus on 50-year-old Inga trying to have a relationship with her mother, who is falling into dementia and longs for the old nomadic life. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Verb
Fan reviews on social media appear to be mixed, with some approving of adding the design to the jersey while others are still longing for the original spike collars to return. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 Champagne and beer soaked the floor, cigar smoke clung to the air and the Knicks finally celebrated a title generations of fans have longed to see. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for long
  1. elongate
  2. lengthy
  3. perennially
  4. forever
  5. pine
  6. extended
  7. far
  8. permanently
Adjective
  • There is also a choice between a standard round bowl and an elongated version.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The shoes featured an ultra-elongated and sharp pointed toe that added a modern twist to the traditional pump silhouette.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Definition of elongate
Adjective
  • Head coach Eckert being hit with three Football Association misconduct charges means the saga may yet cast a further shadow over the new campaign, especially as the German could be facing a lengthy ban.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The moves come as 311 has received nearly 3,000 complaints related to dog waste citywide so far this year, including a significant spike after the lengthy, lingering snow pileups this winter.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lengthy
Adverb
  • But Janney’s work, to say nothing of her perennially underrated co-star Andrew Rannells, was certainly worthy.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • Although the volume of vulnerabilities has grown over the years, Microsoft’s internal group responsible for fielding them, the Microsoft Security Response Center, has been perennially understaffed.
    — Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 29 July 2026
Definition of perennially
Noun
  • There is a certain ease and flow to the conversation with your forevers.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 2026
  • Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of forever
Verb
  • In the 1960s, an interracial couple encounter aliens, and a sci-fi author writes pining letters to her lover.
    — Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
  • However, thousands of years of genetic isolation have made the island pine a distinct subspecies, according to the National Park Service.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of pine
Adjective
  • That arrangement coincided with an extended period with no group output as members prioritised solo careers, and subsquent fan frustration and widespread questions about the future of the group.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • My husband’s relatives (immediate and extended family) are all Christians for whom winning souls to salvation is a crucial matter.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of extended
Adjective
  • The Alexander Stadium holds 23,000 for these championships, boosted by a temporary top tier erected on the Hudson-Smith stand, which follows the far-side bend.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The earthquake is one of the first major challenges for Colombia’s new far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office only last week and has promised to strike hard at criminal groups and leftist militants in Colombia.
    — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of far
Adverb
  • The list includes measures such as an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing military forces and permanently ending the war.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The box was subsequently removed at a cost of £2,200 ($2,900) and will be permanently displayed at the London Museum later this year.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of permanently

Phrases Containing long

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lone wolves
long
long ago
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Cite this Entry

“Long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on long

Nglish: Translation of long for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about long

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