: a tender or urgent longing
a yearning for justice
Synonyms
Examples of yearning in a Sentence
had a sudden yearning for something sweet
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s ego, politics, the human condition, man’s yearning for understanding.
—
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Sumptuous But Healthy Gourmet Dining To assuage any concerns, this isn’t a spa with dietary restrictions that leave guests yearning for good food or wine.
—Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
And yes, there’s more top-tier yearning between John Turturro and Christopher Walken.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 15 Jan. 2025
To the company, universal yearnings for meaning or connection or dignity are only ever flaws to be managed or weaknesses to be exploited.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for yearning 
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.
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Sumptuous But Healthy Gourmet Dining To assuage any concerns, this isn’t a spa with dietary restrictions that leave guests yearning for good food or wine.
—Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
And yes, there’s more top-tier yearning between John Turturro and Christopher Walken.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 15 Jan. 2025
To the company, universal yearnings for meaning or connection or dignity are only ever flaws to be managed or weaknesses to be exploited.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for yearning
Dictionary Entries Near yearning
Cite this Entry
“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearning. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share