: 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
But Barton points to a theme in Knightley’s movie career where her big screen characters have two sides to them: a public persona and private wants, with the heart yearning for one thing and having to settle for another.
—
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
Bad Bunny is starting the holiday season with a far-too-relatable feeling of yearning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024
Eisenberg wanted to convey the irony of yearning to connect with your ancestors’ pain while being unwilling to experience — or even confront — any discomfort while doing so.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Obviously, the reflex to bring this style of makeup back is part of a widespread yearning to turn back the clock, which is understandable for people my age (in their 30s) and and little younger.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 25 Nov. 2024
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.
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
Bad Bunny is starting the holiday season with a far-too-relatable feeling of yearning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024
Eisenberg wanted to convey the irony of yearning to connect with your ancestors’ pain while being unwilling to experience — or even confront — any discomfort while doing so.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Obviously, the reflex to bring this style of makeup back is part of a widespread yearning to turn back the clock, which is understandable for people my age (in their 30s) and and little younger.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 25 Nov. 2024
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 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share