LONG Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'long' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker , hunger , pine , thirst , and yearn . While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain. // longed for some rest

Q: When would 'hanker' be a good substitute for 'long'?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire. // always hankering for money

Q: How are the words 'hunger' and 'thirst' related as synonyms of 'long'?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need. // hungered for a business of his own // thirsted for power

Q: When can 'pine' be used instead of 'long'?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible. // pined for a lost love

Q: When is it sensible to use 'yearn' instead of 'long'?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing. // yearned for a stage career

long 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlȯŋ

Definition of long next

as in elongated

of great extent from end to end giraffes have long necks to help them reach leaves on tall trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lengthy

lasting for a considerable time if it's boring, even a movie with a running time of 90 minutes can seem long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

2 of 4

adverb

as in perennially

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

3 of 4

noun

as in months

a long or seemingly long period of time they should be here before long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

4 of 4

verb

as in to pine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

longed for some rest

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own

thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

Examples 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 long

Adjective

Dardanelle, 1928: For about 30 years, people had crossed the Arkansas River between Pope and Yell counties by means of the world's longest pontoon bridges. —

Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025 The long, slow death of Justin Trudeau’s political career has been mesmerizing. —

The Editors, National Review, 7 Jan. 2025

Adverb

Check the date On social media, photos and videos can be reshared long after an event takes place. —

Melissa Mahtani, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2025 Farming had long been in McFarland's life, according to the Arizona Farm and Ranch Museum. —

Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024

Noun

Reduce longs, trim, sell calls — do something, before — as the expression goes — someone does it for you. —

Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024 Then again, the fact it’s gone on this long is surprising in its own right. —

David Lombardi, The Athletic, 23 Aug. 2024

Verb

Fulfilling the promise of this soulful ghost story required a deft touch, posing just enough questions in each episode that viewers longed for answers, not unlike the characters who wander into the light shop. —

Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 The sentence that so many Penn State fans have longed to read was now reverberating through the stadium’s sound system: The Nittany Lions are advancing in the Playoff, with a quarterfinal against Boise State next. —

Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for long

Recent Examples of Synonyms for long

Adjective

Another catchy song with elongated, ethereal harmonies that capture the temptation of infidelity.

Bryan West, The Tennessean, 18 Apr. 2024
Worm lizards are well adapted for underground life, with elongated bodies, reduced or no limbs, rudimentary eyes and tough, ring-like scales.

Newsweek, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024