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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebYet the real gift of freedom is for parents who yearn for a quicker pace—especially those who commute with their kids on foot. Lauren Gray, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022 So for those who really yearn for the days of Blackberry phones, the Unihertz Titan Slim sort of wins by default, as there really aren’t many other options out there. Ben Sin, Forbes, 13 May 2022 Into the Woods follows various fairytale characters all determined to make their wishes come true — particularly the Baker (Brian d'Arcy James) and his wife (Bareilles), who yearn to become pregnant. Michael Gioia, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 Sadiq’s debut feature centers on the extended patriarchal Ranas family, who yearn for the birth of another boy. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 May 2022 Yet these subversive sweets are highly coveted by a certain set of pastry lovers who yearn for a custom cake more unexpected than one in the shape of their favorite Disney character. Aliza Abarbanel, Bon Appétit, 10 May 2022 The plaintiffs, who understand themselves as both Black and Creek, yearn to restore their histories and their identities. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 June 2022 Is there any part of you that would yearn for that idea of a universal hit.The New Yorker, 29 May 2022 Viewers will yearn for the ballast of clearer insights about the era. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 May 2022 See More
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