yearn

verb

yearned; yearning; yearns

intransitive verb

1
: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly
yearns to make a difference
2
: to feel tenderness or compassion
yearner noun
yearningly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for yearn

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst 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

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own
thirsted for power

Examples of yearn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 is expected to attract millions of people yearning for a glimpse of the rare astronomical phenomenon. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 After about 36 months of President Biden, in other words, people yearn for the halcyon Trump ... Rich Lowry, National Review, 5 Mar. 2024 But for someone who grew up enamored by the sentimental melodies of Céline Dion, Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey, Tems yearned to make soul-stirring songs that sent people deep into their feelings rather than joyful dance records that anyone could catch a vibe to. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 To those who remember, to those who might even yearn, that is irresistible. Rory Smith, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The anchor believes viewers still yearn for something that tones down the red-versus-blue bickering that has become a bigger part of analysis and opinion programming. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Yukio Yamai started the company as a mountain climbing brand, before his son Tohru took over in 1980 and refocused it on car camping gear, specifically catering to people like himself who had busy lives in Tokyo and yearned for quiet sojourns in nature. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2024 The album was also panned by fans and critics, who yearned for more from the two respected acts. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024 But after being a starter in college and the early stages of his pro ball career, Puk has yearned for the opportunity to return to the mound in a starting role. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yearn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yearn was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near yearn

Cite this Entry

“Yearn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearn. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

yearn

verb
1
: to desire eagerly
2
: to feel tenderness or sympathy
yearner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on yearn

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