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.
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Recent Examples of wistful
Throw in a four-part Thanksgiving, a wistful look at Lorelai's (Lauren Graham) past, and one tear-jerking valedictorian speech (even Luke cries!), and season 3 is easily the greatest.
—
EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
After his reelection, in another interview with TIME, Trump appeared to be somewhat wistful that his last campaign was, seemingly, behind him.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Writer/director Joshua Woodcock’s romantic charmer is both wistful and sweet.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
The second intermezzo had the underlying character of a waltz, both less wistful and more playful than the first.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
After his reelection, in another interview with TIME, Trump appeared to be somewhat wistful that his last campaign was, seemingly, behind him.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Writer/director Joshua Woodcock’s romantic charmer is both wistful and sweet.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
The second intermezzo had the underlying character of a waltz, both less wistful and more playful than the first.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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As soon as the plates were cleared and the diners were out the door, presumably full of Duck Fat Apple Pie and nostalgic goodbyes, the team members got to work.—
Melissa Oyler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2025
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But Lamoriello, no one’s idea of a warm nostalgic executive, has basically tried running it back since the buzzer sounded in Tampa in the Game 7 loss on June 25, 2021.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The collection was crafted using dreamy textiles including chiffon, organza and satin—essential in the creation of a transcendental atmosphere, with each look practically floating down the runway.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Other notable features include an infinity-edge pool, an outdoor kitchen, a private dock with a 55,000-pound boat lift, and a rooftop deck with a hot tub for soaking in the dreamy water views.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2025
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The complaint filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations is among multiple lawsuits pushing back on the administration's efforts to vastly shrink the federal workforce, which Trump has called bloated and sloppy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to wistful
Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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