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

The anime-style drawing depicts a girl sporting long blue hair — and a purple sweater, of course. —

Erin Clack, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025 More News: Rhea Ripley Wins WWE Women's World Championship on Raw Netflix Debut Triple H addressed these criticisms at the Netflix Raw post-show press conference, basically saying that the world has known for a long time that WWE is scripted. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Adverb

Greene, a three-term member of Congress, would be outranked by several other Democrats who have been in office longer. —

Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers three plans: Essential, which costs $74.99 per month; Pro, which costs $79.99 per month; and Elite, which costs $89.99 per month. —

Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 20 Jan. 2025

Noun

Margaret, bound by her royal duties, longs for more spontaneity; Stacy wouldn’t mind being a fancy royal for a day or so. —

Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Nov. 2024 But that subcutaneous layer, the part that fears and regrets and longs for a different past as much as for a different future, isn’t visible with Gallagher. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Verb

Since the Community movie was officially announced in 2022, fans have longed for more information about what the film entails. —

Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024 It’s meant to be a blessing for poor souls — those far from God, longing to come home. —

Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 20 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