YEARNING Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

yearning 1 of 3

noun

ˈyər-niŋ

Definition of yearning

as in longing

a strong wish for something had a sudden yearning for something sweet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Nolan foregrounds the nobility that guides the character (his guilt, his dedication to his men, his yearning for his family) and neglects his wily cunning and egotism. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026 For the uninitiated, Cohan isn’t at all off base to suggest that fans drop their yearning for this particular pair of characters. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 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 See All Example Sentences for yearning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yearning

Noun

Anemoia is essentially an imagined memory, a longing built from movies, photographs, and secondhand stories rather than lived experience.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Questions around beauty and longing recur, as do keywords (such as ‘password’), names, references and scenic features, but what fascinated me most is that in principle each episode could be read as a little patchy universe on its own.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of longing

Noun

But despite the evident craving for stories about L-O-V-E, literary fiction has struggled to master the art of the crossover.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
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

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

However, holding pee for a long period of time and ignoring the urge to go might increase the risk of certain problems, such as urinary tract infections.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
Our research team found that, in abstaining mice, this urge to drink is preceded by changes in the activity of a particular brain region, pointing to potential new screening opportunities to identify and help those most vulnerable to relapse.

— Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 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

Cite this Entry

Style

“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yearning. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of yearning

noun

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on yearning

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

balmy

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes