LONGING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

longing 1 of 3

noun

ˈlȯŋ-iŋ

Definition of longing

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

longing

2 of 3

adjective

as in pining

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

longing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of long

as in yearning

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 longing

Noun

As private longing collides with honor and social codes, each character has to reckon with what their choices cost. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 The fates of Jane Doe and Nolan Wells leave us longing for the Golden Rule, writes columnist LZ Granderson. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 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

In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
This offbeat tendency doesn’t preclude a desire to make a big splash, of course.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of desire

Adjective

Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
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

Definition of covetous

Noun

Ladybird Taco started with a breakfast craving, a homemade tortilla and a chance encounter that changed everything.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
And, later, a midnight snack of lobster rolls, hot dogs, and pizzas certainly quashed any late-night cravings.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of craving

Adjective

Best known for his ambitious documentary features, Kapadia described the process of adapting to the rigors of television production.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Tesla’s second-generation Roadster pairs ambitious performance hardware with a cockpit interface designed around driving data.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Adjective

Staff told me that the same families return every August because their children are so obsessed with the Kids Club counselors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Yet Before Hollywood became obsessed with Curry Barker, Markiplier opened the year in a submarine full of blood.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of obsessed

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Style

“Longing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/longing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of longing

noun

adjective

verb

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