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Definitions

pining

[pahy-ning] / ˈpaɪ nɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
eager
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambitious greedy hungry impatient keen restless thirsty
STRONG
craving earnest hankering intent longing wild yearning
WEAK
acquisitive agog antsy appetent ardent athirst avid breathless champing at the bit covetous desiring desirous dying to fervent fervid gung-ho heated hot hot to trot rarin' to go ready and willing restive self-starting solicitous vehement voracious warmblooded wishful zealous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
satisfied
WEAK
apathetic disinterested dispassionate unconcerned uneager unenthusiastic
ADJECTIVE
languid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lackadaisical laid-back languorous lazy leisurely lethargic sluggish unhurried
WEAK
apathetic blah blahs comatose dopey easy energyless enervated faint feeble heavy impassive inactive indifferent inert infirm languishing leaden limp moony nebbish phlegmatic sickly sleepyhead slow snoozy spiritless supine torpid unconcerned unenthusiastic uninterested weak weary wimpy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
active energetic hard-working hurried lively
WEAK
alert animated spirited vivacious
ADJECTIVE
languishing
Synonyms
STRONG
longing
WEAK
melancholy sad unhappy
ADJECTIVE
languorous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lackadaisical laid-back leisurely unhurried
WEAK
apathetic blah blahs comatose dopey easy energyless enervated faint feeble flagging heavy impassive inactive indifferent inert infirm languishing lazy leaden lethargic limp listless lymphatic moony nebbish phlegmatic sickly sleepyhead slow sluggish snoozy spiritless supine torpid unconcerned unenthusiastic uninterested weak weary wimpy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hurried
ADJECTIVE
longing
Synonyms
STRONG
craving eager languishing yearning
WEAK
anxious ardent avid hungry ravenous wishful wistful
Antonyms
WEAK
despising hating loathing
ADJECTIVE
lovesick
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lovelorn
WEAK
desiring infatuated languishing yearning
ADJECTIVE
lymphatic
Synonyms
WEAK
apathetic blah blahs comatose dopey easy energyless enervated faint feeble flagging heavy impassive inactive indifferent inert infirm lackadaisical laid-back languishing languorous lazy leaden leisurely lethargic limp listless moony nebbish phlegmatic sickly sleepyhead slow sluggish snoozy spiritless supine torpid unconcerned unenthusiastic unhurried uninterested weak weary wimpy
ADJECTIVE
sickly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ailing cranky feeble infirm lackluster
WEAK
below par bilious delicate diseased down dragging faint in poor health indisposed laid low languid low mean off-color out of action out of shape pallid peaked peaky poorly rocky run down seedy sickish unhealthy wan weak
Antonyms
STRONGEST
healthy hearty sound strong
WEAK
fine well
ADJECTIVE
thirsting
Synonyms
STRONG
bursting craving desiring hankering heated keen longing yearning
WEAK
acquisitive agog ambitious antsy appetent ardent athirst avid breathless champing at the bit covetous desirous dying to earnest fervent fervid greedy gung-ho hot hot to trot hungry impatient intent rarin' to go ready and willing restive restless self-starting solicitous thirsty vehement voracious warmblooded wild wishful zealous
Antonyms
STRONG
calm peaceful
ADJECTIVE
wishing
Synonyms
STRONG
desiring longing wanting yearning
NOUN
appetence
Synonyms
STRONG
appetency appetite craving drive hunger liking longing lust penchant thirst urge wish yearning
Antonyms
STRONG
disgust dislike distaste hate hatred indifference
NOUN
appetency
Synonyms
STRONG
appetence appetite craving drive hunger liking longing lust penchant thirst urge wish yearning
Antonyms
STRONG
disgust dislike distaste hate hatred indifference
NOUN
hankering
Synonyms
STRONGEST
craving yearning
STRONG
ache druthers hunger itch longing thirst urge want weakness wish yen
WEAK
fire in belly munchies
Antonyms
STRONG
dislike hate hatred
NOUN
longing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambition aspiration craving hankering hunger thirst wish yearning
STRONG
coveting hungering itch urge yen
WEAK
fire in the belly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hate hatred indifference satisfaction
NOUN
mourning
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grief
STRONG
aching bereavement blackness crying darkness grieving keening lamentation lamenting languishing moaning repining sorrowing wailing weeping woe
Antonyms
STRONG
light lightness
WEAK
cheer happiness joy
NOUN
nostalgia
Synonyms
STRONGEST
longing remorse sentimentality wistfulness yearning
STRONG
homesickness reminiscence schmaltz
WEAK
fond memories hearts and flowers tear-jerker
NOUN
will
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attitude character decision desire determination discipline feeling inclination intention mind passion power resolution resolve wish
STRONG
aim appetite conviction craving decisiveness decree design discretion disposition fancy hankering liking longing option pleasure preference prerogative purpose self-control self-discipline self-restraint temperament urge velleity volition willfulness willpower wishes yearning
WEAK
heart's desire
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hate hatred indecision question wavering weakness
STRONG
distaste indifference thoughtlessness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His public pining for a Nobel Peace Prize.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

He is also pining for his young children, with the second one arriving in late November.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Reflecting on this new approach to online dating, I wonder if we are going full circle, pining for the traditional dating culture of the pre-internet age?

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

Yet, I find there’s not much in the Golden City worth pining over that hard.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2025

But her ghost was always wandering about the woods, gazing over Hailsham, pining to be let back in.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.