Find Synonyms

yearning Synonyms

Another word for yearning

Choosing another word for yearning depends on context, so the 12 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

A deep, persistent, and often wistful or tender longing for something, especially something unattainable, lost, or distant.

Usage Example

"Having lived abroad for a decade, she felt a sudden, sharp longing for the familiar landscapes of her childhood."

Strongest
longing
pining
Strong
craving
ache
hankering
desire
hunger
thirst
wistfulness

• adjective (Context 2)

Expressing, characterized by, or feeling a deep, persistent, and often wistful longing.

Usage Example

"The violinist played a longing melody that moved the audience to tears."

Strongest
longing
wistful
Strong
pining
hankering
craving
nostalgic
desirous

Opposites of yearning

The opposite of yearning shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

contentment
satisfaction
content
satisfied
fulfillment
apathy
indifference
aversion
See all opposites of yearning

• Nearby Words

yearlong
yearly
yearn
yearning
yearningly
yearslong
yeasayer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Yearning. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/yearning
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