as in nostalgic
showing or evoking a sad longing for an often idealized past
She felt wistful looking through her college yearbook, remembering old friends she had not seen in decades.
Related Words
Relevance
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 wistful
Expanding Woody and Buzz’s universe without losing focus on the characters, laughs, or sentiment, this follow-up deepens the themes of the original while keeping a wistful eye on childhood’s end.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
Similarly, the lyrics can be varied—the best beach songs can be carefree, dancy, wistful, or just plain catchy.
—Janae McKenzie, Glamour, 14 June 2025
Some were melancholy, wistful, and brimming with nostalgia.
—Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
The film also becomes a wistful poem about life and aging, one that observes the injustice of old age with humor and kindness.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
Similarly, the lyrics can be varied—the best beach songs can be carefree, dancy, wistful, or just plain catchy.
—Janae McKenzie, Glamour, 14 June 2025
Some were melancholy, wistful, and brimming with nostalgia.
—Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
The film also becomes a wistful poem about life and aging, one that observes the injustice of old age with humor and kindness.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
-
Glass and gold nightstands add a luxe touch without taking up a lot of visual space, and a retro rotary phone can offer a nostalgic finishing touch.—
Nina Derwin,
Architectural Digest,
29 July 2025
-
There is a constant paradox of art-making: as an art form accelerates its pace of change, its content grows more nostalgic.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Romance this week gets dreamier, but also a bit moodier.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
27 July 2025
-
Bonus: The double-side-stripe details are just as dreamy as the fit.—
Joana Ariza,
Glamour,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
But instead of looking shapeless or sloppy, Klum proves this formula can be quite modern and stylish when done with classic basics like a white shirt and jeans.—
Emma Mehl,
Glamour,
23 July 2025
-
His hair’s not looking all sloppy in the morning anymore.—
Alyssa Cooper
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share