yearn
verb (used without object)
to have an earnest or strong desire; long.
were yearning
-
past progressiveof yearn.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You might reasonably assume this would leave the finished dish tasting as though it were yearning for a blanket of Gruyère and a broiler.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026
The venue’s social media marketing manager, Katie Moorhouse, said people were yearning to “have a good boogie again.”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 19, 2021
Turns out while we were yearning for “Curb,” David felt the same way.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 29, 2017
They were yearning for the kind of classic neighborhood that Mike recalled from his childhood on the East Coast in Scott Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
From New York Times ● Oct. 19, 2016
Blacks around the country were yearning for a newspaper like the Defender that celebrated their success stories and exposed the injustices heaped upon their race.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
