Yearned-for
What it means
Deeply desired over time and awaited with sincere longing.
Reach for it when describing an arrival or outcome whose emotional importance grew during a long wait
The ceasefire brought a yearned-for quiet to the village.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| literary |
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everyday
hoped-for
Fits when hope continued despite uncertainty
Careful A hoped-for result may be welcome without the intensity of yearning.
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everyday
Fits when the duration of the wait is most important
Careful Something can be long-awaited from duty rather than deeply wanted.
-
warm
dreamed-of
Fits when imagination sustained an aspiration
Careful Dreamed-of sounds idealized and may lack a realistic path.
-
warm
much-wanted
Fits when strong personal desire should sound plain
Careful Much-wanted says little about patience or emotional ache.
-
professional
desired
Fits when a neutral statement of preference is enough
Careful Desired is cooler and may describe a technical outcome.
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literary
coveted
Fits when many people compete for a scarce prize
Careful Coveted can imply status seeking or possession rather than heartfelt longing.
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literary
Fits when gentle longing suits reflective prose
Careful Wished-for is lighter and more passive than yearned-for.
Opposites 3
- unwanted
- dreaded
- unwelcome
Common phrases 3
-
yearned-for peace
Yearned-for peace arrived slowly through local agreements.
-
yearned-for chance
The audition gave him the yearned-for chance to be heard.
-
yearned-for reunion
Their yearned-for reunion began with silence and then laughter.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated