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

This better battery performance could provide longer warranties for a higher remaining capacity. —

James Morris, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024 The fall of the Assad regime in Syria will have no direct impact on world oil markets but could prove bullish in the short term and bearish longer term, depending on how the new political structure of the Middle East develops. —

Michael Lynch, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Syria's detention centers have long been synonymous with brutal conditions. —

Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 But keeping track of their finances has long been a challenge for outside merchants, particularly smaller mom-and-pop shops. —

Ari Levy, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

Libra longs to find that sense of equilibrium, making clear quartz the perfect stone for balancing different energies during their manifestation rituals. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024 Nobody today longs for the bygone era in which long distance calls began by talking to an operator. —

Bill Conerly, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Verb

Now, Johnson is joining a 5-3 Ravens team that has longed for wide receiver help with quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Last week, Chandler saw a decrease in her scores, but her Disney night paso doble brought the intensity that the judges were longing to see. —

Calie Schepp, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for long

Recent Examples of Synonyms for long

Adjective

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
The Gothic romance casts a very elongated shadow of influence over many, many books.

Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2024