PINE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of pine are hanker , hunger , long , thirst , and yearn . While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible. // pined for a lost love

Q: In what contexts can 'hanker' take the place of 'pine'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pine , hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire. // always hankering for money

Q: How do 'hunger' and 'thirst' relate to one another, in the sense of 'pine'?

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 'long' be used instead of 'pine'?

In some situations, the words long and pine are roughly equivalent. However, long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain. // longed for some rest

Q: Where would 'yearn' be a reasonable alternative to 'pine'?

The synonyms yearn and pine are sometimes interchangeable, but yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing. // yearned for a stage career

pine

verb

Definition of pine next

as in to long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pine distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pine are hanker, hunger, long, thirst, and yearn. While all these words mean "to have a strong desire for something," pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

pined for a lost love

In what contexts can hanker take the place of pine?

While in some cases nearly identical to pine, hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

always hankering for money

How do hunger and thirst relate to one another, in the sense of pine?

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 long be used instead of pine?

In some situations, the words long and pine are roughly equivalent. However, long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

longed for some rest

Where would yearn be a reasonable alternative to pine?

The synonyms yearn and pine are sometimes interchangeable, but yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

yearned for a stage career

Examples 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 pine And pining wistfully for that special girl waiting at home. —

Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2024 But instead of pining over what could've been, Derulo got to work. —

Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 23 June 2023 As the human workers pine for home, the humanoid workers increasingly pine to be more than what they’ve been programmed to be. —

Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2022 After years of pining, Iaconetti eventually got the guy: the two wed in 2019 and share a son. —

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 27 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for pine