as in craving
a strong wish for something
I've had a hankering for pizza with anchovies all afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in longing
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Recent Examples of hankering
Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
This piece combines a supporting character palette with a leading lady frame to make something perfect for those who have a hankering to whitewash but know better.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s the bit missing these days, and that’s why there’s a hankering for what some people call the West Ham Way.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
And for the kids who get a hankering to try the sport/lifestyle, consider a learn-to camp.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And if fig is the focus but a cake isn’t calling your name, try one of these fresh and flavorful fig recipes to satisfy any sudden hankering.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
For those with a hankering for farm-to-table cuisine, Handle’s menu of fresh, simple dishes will satiate the craving.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
For them, socialism has meant only a hankering for state tyranny and brazen assaults on property rights that, together, threaten the beliefs every patriotic citizen holds dear.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Anyone who doesn’t hold the same nostalgic hankering for veteran actresses holding court with one-woman shows might not be blamed for opting out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
If your hankering is for Chinese, then pop into bustling Taipei Express for a cheap and cheerful Sa Cha Chicken lunch combo.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
This piece combines a supporting character palette with a leading lady frame to make something perfect for those who have a hankering to whitewash but know better.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s the bit missing these days, and that’s why there’s a hankering for what some people call the West Ham Way.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
And for the kids who get a hankering to try the sport/lifestyle, consider a learn-to camp.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And if fig is the focus but a cake isn’t calling your name, try one of these fresh and flavorful fig recipes to satisfy any sudden hankering.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
For those with a hankering for farm-to-table cuisine, Handle’s menu of fresh, simple dishes will satiate the craving.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
For them, socialism has meant only a hankering for state tyranny and brazen assaults on property rights that, together, threaten the beliefs every patriotic citizen holds dear.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Anyone who doesn’t hold the same nostalgic hankering for veteran actresses holding court with one-woman shows might not be blamed for opting out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankering
Noun
-
On the third floor, alongside the hotel's Center Pool, is The Sandbox, a refined poolside restaurant with American coastal dishes that will satisfy any of your poolside cravings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Researchers found semaglutide led to reductions in alcohol use by some but not all measures, significantly reduced alcohol cravings and led participants to smoke fewer cigarettes.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 June 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
Noun
-
In most cases, the urge to leverage technology to get ahead of the digital race doesn't go as planned, and this was no exception.—
Hari Sonnenahalli,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
However, resist the urge to apply heavy fertilizers.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
For Pawela, the PB Arts Center partnership will serve as a resource for young, ambitious artists and allow for creativity to take root.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
The pollution limit — or cap — declines each year, reducing the total amount of emissions in the state and helping California reach its ambitious climate targets, including 100% carbon neutrality by 2045.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Being bitten by Pirate Clark may have been a manifestation of Clark's deepest emotional wounds and desires — or maybe the monster just needed a meal.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Each state may implement Clean Slate laws differently, depending on the balance between public safety and the desire for second chances.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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
Noun
-
Waitstaff are low key and casual, quenching thirsts with pink vermouths and soda, accompanied by friendly Uruguayan smiles.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
To quench this thirst, coastal cities from California to the Middle East depend on industrial desalination plants.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all played those positions after Guardiola became obsessed with one-on-one battles and ‘winning the duels’, almost talking about football in old-fashioned English terms.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
And most importantly, why is everyone so obsessed with the idea of achieving smooth, poreless skin?—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hankering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankering. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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