LONG Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'long' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker , hunger , pine , thirst , and yearn . While all these words 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

Q: When would 'hanker' be a good substitute for 'long'?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire. // always hankering for money

Q: How are the words 'hunger' and 'thirst' related as synonyms of 'long'?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need. // hungered for a business of his own // thirsted for power

Q: When can 'pine' be used instead of 'long'?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible. // pined for a lost love

Q: When is it sensible to use 'yearn' instead of 'long'?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing. // yearned for a stage career

long 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlȯŋ

Definition of long

as in elongate

of great extent from end to end giraffes have long necks to help them reach leaves on tall trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lengthy

lasting for a considerable time if it's boring, even a movie with a running time of 90 minutes can seem long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

2 of 4

adverb

as in perennially

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

long

3 of 4

noun

as in forever

a long or seemingly long period of time they should be here before long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long

4 of 4

verb

as in to pine

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word long distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of long are hanker, hunger, pine, thirst, and yearn. While all these words 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

When would hanker be a good substitute for long?

Although the words hanker and long have much in common, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How are the words hunger and thirst related as synonyms of long?

Both hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

hungered for a business of his own

thirsted for power

When can pine be used instead of long?

The meanings of pine and long largely overlap; however, pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

When is it sensible to use yearn instead of long?

The words yearn and long are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of long

Adjective

Whether your fall plans include low-key weekends at home, jet-setting off on vacation, or spending long days in the office, a pair of well-fitting, comfortable pants is the fashion staple that can do it all. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026 Nigel McGuinness There was a long feeling-out process filled with dueling chants for Jon Moxley and Nigel McGuinness. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Adverb

From a straightforward season-long points race to giving the points leader a cushion on the leaderboard, and now the simple format of awarding the FedEx Cup to the winner of the Tour Championship, the postseason has long needed a boost. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Those were among many philanthropic efforts for which she long has been known. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Starter Patrick Taylor, who scored a short touchdown, had minus-5 yards on five carries with a long of one yard. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The park’s North Canoe Voyage brings guests out on the water, either Rainy Lake or the Ash River, in a 26-foot-long canoe, a replica of what a French-Canadian voyageur would have traveled in during the early 1800s. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Fan reviews on social media appear to be mixed, with some approving of adding the design to the jersey while others are still longing for the original spike collars to return. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 Champagne and beer soaked the floor, cigar smoke clung to the air and the Knicks finally celebrated a title generations of fans have longed to see. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for long

Recent Examples of Synonyms for long

Adjective

There is also a choice between a standard round bowl and an elongated version.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
The shoes featured an ultra-elongated and sharp pointed toe that added a modern twist to the traditional pump silhouette.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Definition of elongate

Adjective

For many applicants, the interview comes near the end of an already lengthy process.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
That lengthy deployment raised concerns about the mental health of sailors, including reports of at least one going overboard, as well as reports of low supplies aboard the 100,000-ton warship.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of lengthy

Adverb

The flying gourds are part of the perennially popular pumpkin catapult competition.

— Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Staying steady under the magnifying glass Business leaders perennially look to the sports world for lessons in building winning teams, and Wolff thinks the comparison between running an F1 franchise and a mainstream corporation holds up well enough.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of perennially

Noun

There is a certain ease and flow to the conversation with your forevers.

— Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 2026
Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of forever

Verb

In the 1960s, an interracial couple encounter aliens, and a sci-fi author writes pining letters to her lover.

— Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
However, thousands of years of genetic isolation have made the island pine a distinct subspecies, according to the National Park Service.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

Definition of pine

Adjective

The aircraft will maximize the defensive potential of Qatar's F-15QAs, Rafales, and Typhoons, allowing for extended surveillance and interception missions, reinforcing a defensive posture rather than offensive strikes.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
This fire was brought to a second alarm due to high temperatures and extended work needed at the scene, the Fire Department added.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of extended

Adverb

Bagpipes were trotted out, ceilidhs given, drams of whisky poured, and, rather more permanently, heathered swaths of Caledonia repurposed as sporting estates.

— Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
But none were enough to permanently divert him from the 2,193-mile trail that runs between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine.

— Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of permanently

Articles Related to long

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Style

“Long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of long

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing long

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Articles Related to long

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Eye-popping Long Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on long

More from Merriam-Webster

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conscientious

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