yearn
verb
\ ˈyərn
\
\
yearned;
yearning;
yearns
Definition of yearn
1
: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly
yearns to make a difference
2
: to feel tenderness or compassion
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Other Words from yearn
yearner
noun
yearningly
\ ˈyər-niŋ-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of yearn in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Long before Alexa invaded homes, a likable robot yearning for human input arrived at a remote Victorian-era farmhouse in Astoria and was adopted by an animal-loving Ally Sheedy. — oregonlive, "’Short Circuit’ house for sale in Astoria generates dreamy Tweets," 11 Sep. 2019 After the end of the Cold War, North Korea has yearned for international prestige. — James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "How both Trump and Kim have already won before they even shake hands," 11 June 2018 Gayle has a deep, deep curiosity and yearning to know. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, "Oprah Winfrey Says BFF Gayle King Has ‘Always Felt Not a Shadow But the Light’ from Her Success," 7 Aug. 2019 For the fans that are yearning to hold Shawn Mendes‘ hand, his wax replica looks to be the next best option. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Madame Tussaud's Gives Shawn Mendes Fans a Chance to Hold Hands with the Wax Version of the Singer," 14 Aug. 2019 Asabe Danpollo, 24, has one of those dream jobs that more young professionals are yearning to get. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "The right job can help you pay down your student loans. Here's how to find it," 9 Aug. 2019 Interstellar Intimates The lure of Alpha Centauri is easy to understand: For the scientists yearning to find living worlds beyond our own, this system seems almost too good to be true. — Corey S. Powell, Scientific American, "The Hunt Is on for Alpha Centauri’s Planets," 5 Aug. 2019 Other eras have gotten yearning sonnets or the Taj Mahal; our time has given us misogynistic meme culture and boxes of My Little Pony figurines covered in lonely teenagers’ ejaculate. — Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "WIRED Book of the Month: It Came From Something Awful," 31 July 2019 Despite her mother’s penchant for evil, Mal wants more for her life and yearns to make others happy. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Dove Cameron on “Descendants 3”, Growing Up with Disney, and Falling In Love with Thomas Doherty and Herself," 31 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yearn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for yearn
yearn
verb
English Language Learners Definition of yearn
: to feel a strong desire or wish for something or to do something
See the full definition for yearn in the English Language Learners Dictionary
yearn
verb
\ ˈyərn
\
\
yearned;
yearning
Kids Definition of yearn
: to desire very much
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