yearn

verb

ˈyərn 

yearned; yearning; yearns

intransitive verb

1

: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly

yearns to make a difference

2

: to feel tenderness or compassion

yearner noun

yearningly

ˈyər-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• ache (for)
• covet
• crave
• desiderate
• desire
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• hunger (for)
• itch (for)
• jones (for) [slang]
• long (for)
• lust (for or after)
• pant (after)
• pine (for)
• repine (for)
• salivate (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• want
• wish (for)
• yen (for)

Choose the Right Synonym for yearn

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst 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

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

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

hungered for a business of his own

thirsted for power

Examples of yearn in a Sentence

yearned for a little house in the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Grand Finale The Penguin Joker may have flopped, but the people still yearn for another Batman villain, the Penguin. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

This one definitely goes to 11: Two teenage rocker dudes – who yearn to add some excitement to their lives – delve into black magic and accidentally conjure a demonic entity known as The Blind One. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Holland America Retirees or remote workers with extra time on their hands who are yearning to explore the world beyond the Caribbean without having to book flights will find Holland America’s three-week-long Panama Canal cruises roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale enticing. —Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024

Colleen’s legions of fans demonstrate that women are yearning for more authentic stories about their lives. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

yearn

verb

ˈyərn 

1

: to desire eagerly

2

: to feel tenderness or sympathy

yearner noun