as in longing
a strong wish for something
a sudden pining to have steak for dinner
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as in covetous
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Recent Examples of pining
Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
Zohran Mamdani has just moved in, and considering the thoughtful aesthetic details of his campaign—which his stylish first lady, artist Rama Duwaji, had a hand in designing—we’re pining for a look at how the couple decorates their new digs.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pining
Noun
-
Coming from a working-class family of Mexican immigrants and having worked many years in services jobs around the South Bay, the 36-year-old wanted his art to reflect that longing for a fair treatment of workers, especially immigrants.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Touching on both, this memoir beautifully conveys the haunting presence of an estranged relative and the blurry line between longing and reluctance toward reconnection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Aiming for 30 grams of protein at breakfast can reduce cravings, promote fullness, stabilize blood sugar, and help maintain muscle mass.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
-
Kravitz is the opposite, as her Venus conjunct Pluto in Scorpio is deeply evocative; there is a deep craving for intimacy, soul-to-soul connection and closeness rooted in loyalty and reciprocity.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In mid-April, Meghan Trainor also called off her entire arena tour, citing a desire to spend time with her young children.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 May 2026
-
Renewable energy The global oil crisis has only deepened the desire by many countries to transition to clean energy, which could be a boon for the sector.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Noun
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For starters, a handful of clubs with needs at the most important position on the field — that’d be quarterback — resisted the urge to reach in a down year for the position, with most waiting until the later rounds to take a flier on a likely backup.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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If a user who is interacting with that AI-bot starts to express any words or feelings that even remotely reflect an urge to harm themselves or others, the bot should alert local authorities of the potential risk.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beyond simply preventing blackouts, this facility is specifically designed to quench the massive power thirst of local AI data centers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
-
Excess sugar overwhelms the kidneys, which flush it — along with hydrating fluids — out through urine, leaving people dehydrated and trapped in a cycle of thirst.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pining. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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