: 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
Desperate hope and yearning shape the actions of every character, frustrated by the harsh and violent circumstances of their times.
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Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2024
For Erice, a master, cinema works as a revelatory force that can illuminate our truest feelings and yearnings, despite the efforts of some of his characters to escape their torturous pasts.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
The result is an exemplification of storytelling as a consolation for the yearning and dislocation of immigrant life.
—The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
The yearning for romance will also persist, especially during China’s three Valentine’s days, which includes the February Valentine’s Day, 520 Valentine’s Day in May and Qixi in August.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for yearning 
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2024
For Erice, a master, cinema works as a revelatory force that can illuminate our truest feelings and yearnings, despite the efforts of some of his characters to escape their torturous pasts.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
The result is an exemplification of storytelling as a consolation for the yearning and dislocation of immigrant life.
—The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
The yearning for romance will also persist, especially during China’s three Valentine’s days, which includes the February Valentine’s Day, 520 Valentine’s Day in May and Qixi in August.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for yearning
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yearning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near yearning
Cite this Entry
“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearning. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
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