as in nostalgic
showing or evoking a sad longing for an often idealized past
She felt wistful looking through her college yearbook, remembering old friends she had not seen in decades.
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Recent Examples of wistful
In the Andantino, the wistful melody that is passed around different sections gained emotional depth through the coloristic details Muti brought out in the accompaniment.
—
Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
And the wistful speculation ends when Jamie lovingly points out that their daughter’s survival is extremely unlikely.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 Jan. 2025
Casual spectators come out with sketches of a wealth of musical traditions peppering Puerto Rico’s past and present, while those in the know enjoy both wistful songwriting and a maze of references to beloved music, food, and slang.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
Read the full Gemini Daily Horoscope Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Feeling wistful?
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wistful 
Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
And the wistful speculation ends when Jamie lovingly points out that their daughter’s survival is extremely unlikely.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 Jan. 2025
Casual spectators come out with sketches of a wealth of musical traditions peppering Puerto Rico’s past and present, while those in the know enjoy both wistful songwriting and a maze of references to beloved music, food, and slang.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
Read the full Gemini Daily Horoscope Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Feeling wistful?
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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These recent dual looks incorporate Rae’s more wacky sartorial leanings too: A chaotic hodge podge of nostalgic colors and shapes, with kitschy graphics and accessories.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2025
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The crowd-pleaser was seriously nostalgic, packed with references to the original film, such as a cameo from Val Kilmer's Iceman and, yep, that famous beach volleyball scene filled with suntans, sunglasses, and abs for days.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Expansive living areas flow easily from one interior space to the next — and then out to the dreamy backyard.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Feb. 2025
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Set to the dreamy lull of Leon Bridges and his guitar, models including Lucky Blue Smith, Taylor Hill, and Evan Mock sported men’s and women’s looks at the former church-turned-runway.—
Michaela Bechler,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ekman-Larsson’s sloppy high-sticking penalty in the third led to a go-ahead goal, bringing the grade down a touch. D3 (Simon Benoit — Philippe Myers): C- After a strong effort on Thursday, this pair came back to earth on Saturday.—
Nick Ashbourne,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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But Klein notes that all the activity belies just how many of the new administration's most high-profile decisions have already been stymied by sloppy rollouts, gotten jammed up by the courts, or faced widespread condemnation by world leaders.—
Gene Demby,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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