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View synonyms for longing

longing

[ lawng-ing, long- ]

noun

  1. strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something unattainable or distant:

    filled with longing for home.

    Synonyms: aspiration

    Antonyms: apathy

  2. an instance of this:

    a sudden longing to see old friends.



adjective

  1. having or characterized by persistent or earnest desire:

    a longing look.

    Synonyms: yearning, desirous

longing

/ ˈlɒŋɪŋ /

noun

  1. a prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. having or showing desire or need

    a longing look

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈlongingly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • longing·ly adverb
  • longing·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of longing1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English langung; equivalent to long 2 + -ing 1
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Synonym Study

See desire.
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Example Sentences

Law professor sues George Mason University, challenging covid vaccine mandatePervading everything is a weariness with the virus, and a longing for more stable, certain times.

It was an unrealistic burden to place on statistics, but the longing for a mathematical seal of approval burned hot.

We come to understand that the alternating flashes of love, rage, longing and frustration Fanny experiences in the course of her obsession with Linda are echoes of what she feels for the mother who so remorselessly abandoned her.

From Time

I preferred not to try so hard so that the longing did not dampen my spirits too much and not to end up with my soul rotten by depression and my eyes lost in memories.

Each conversation was a slam to my longings, a slap that plunged me deeper into a sea of ​​despair.

In that light, some Cubans might find themselves longing for the good old, bad old days.

That is to say, there is much longing in the hearts of Americans.

It was about the hope and longing for redemption and reconciliation that lies somewhere within each of us.

The convent, obviously, but also the court—and even her unrequited longing for the elusive lady of her sonnets.

It requires him to let go of Lori and his longing for the past.

Feeling secure regarding their happiness and welfare, she did not miss them except with an occasional intense longing.

But at intervals I still felt an inexpressible longing to see or hear from my mother.

There was a longing light in his eyes and a look of appeal whenever our glances met.

The little glimpse of domestic harmony which had been offered her, gave her no regret, no longing.

The longing desire to hear the whole of the letter, might be read in every feature of her expressive face.

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longieslong in the tooth