yearn

verb

ˈyərn How to pronounce yearn (audio)
yearned; yearning; yearns
Synonyms of yearnnext

intransitive verb

1
: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly
yearns to make a difference
2
: to feel tenderness or compassion
yearner noun
yearningly
ˈyər-niŋ-lē How to pronounce yearn (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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

yearned for a little house in the country
Recent Examples on the Web And while everyone will be yearning for that first sneak peak of their little one, don’t expect much. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024 Black women are yearning for a reality in which our emotions and care are safe in the hands of all our men. —Jasmine Elise, Essence, 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for yearn 

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

Yearly Meeting

yearn

yearnful

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Yearn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearn. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

yearn

verb
ˈyərn How to pronounce yearn (audio)
1
: to desire eagerly
2
: to feel tenderness or sympathy
yearner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on yearn

Nglish: Translation of yearn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of yearn for Arabic Speakers

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