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
A lot of us tend to recall fun times (playing in leaves, cheering at football games, baking treats with friends and family), but for people who have negative associations with the season, its scent may trigger unpleasant or wistful reminders, Dr. Parma says.
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Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024
But the brothers also encountered plenty of enthusiasm—and some wistful envy from those reminded of their own unrealized yearning for exploration.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
There were still genius oddities here and there—the wistful video gamey emo of Jane Remover’s Teen Week/Frailty, underscores’ fictional town odysseys, DJ Re:Code’s ADHD-core hyper-hyper-pop.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Biden struck a wistful tone in his remarks, peppering his speech with references to his first time attending the General Assembly more than 50 years ago, and quoting Irish poetry.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wistful 
Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024
But the brothers also encountered plenty of enthusiasm—and some wistful envy from those reminded of their own unrealized yearning for exploration.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
There were still genius oddities here and there—the wistful video gamey emo of Jane Remover’s Teen Week/Frailty, underscores’ fictional town odysseys, DJ Re:Code’s ADHD-core hyper-hyper-pop.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Biden struck a wistful tone in his remarks, peppering his speech with references to his first time attending the General Assembly more than 50 years ago, and quoting Irish poetry.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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In the inaugural installment of PEOPLE's new video series My Side, Hanson brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac get nostalgic about creating the chart-topping 1997 pop hit — and who exactly came up with its iconic and unique title.Jack Irvin, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
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Some of the visitors were feeling nostalgic as well.Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Here's what to do and where to say on a dreamy trip to Mexico.Zachary Rabinor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
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Complete the gift with a couple of Pura’s dreamy scent cartridges (hello, lemon verbena).Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In a sloppy game that included 21 penalties between the teams, the Bears got in the end zone just once — their only offensive touchdown of the first two weeks.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
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That’s one of the lessons these Rams, especially the younger ones, can take away from this sloppy experience.Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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