as in desire
a strong wish for something
by four o'clock in the afternoon, I usually experience a strong longing for chocolate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pining
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of longing
New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The scene is idyllic, but the characters are suffering—from jealousy and longing and an overall failure to communicate.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Noun
Slowly, her longing to be part of his future took over the cake.
—New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The scene is idyllic, but the characters are suffering—from jealousy and longing and an overall failure to communicate.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Werther, in his self-delusion, embodies another Goethean type, the longing man—ordinary, but convinced of the extraordinariness of his feelings.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for longing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for longing
Noun
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My time in public service has been defined by that same desire to make state government work for working people.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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People have the desire to evolve together, and get past the minor annoyances of a Gemini being too flighty for an intense Scorpio or a Leo’s dramatics overshadowing Taurus’s kindness.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The differences were especially pronounced in the evenings, when cravings tend to peak.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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That said, your craving for quiet could conflict with a task request, so some trade-offs might be necessary.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
3 Aug. 2025
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This is, in part, correct: Voldemort is extremely covetous of power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Send Help gives its beleaguered office-worker protagonist a thirst for blood.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
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But at this point, the trend’s persistence and the thirst with which its products are consumed suggest a more profound connection between these stories and their audience.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
You’re not really allowed to be ambitious.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Stolz is halfway through his ambitious four-event program in Milan with two gold medals already.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Resist the urge to interpret affection as loyalty.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Resist the urge to change your appearance.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the tablets, the people of Israel grew restless and decided to melt down their jewelry and create a golden calf.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Benefits of Separate Sleep Spaces Experiencing restless sleep—or worse, not getting enough sleep—because one partner snores or has different sleep patterns can result in chronic sleep loss for the other partner and relationship tension for both.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So while the hundo bond is an unusual offering with some ominous historical precedents (particularly in tech), there’s clearly some hunger for it.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Androw, owner of E & D Pizza in Avon and a leader on the national pizza scene is known for using pizza for good causes from hunger to fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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