as in nostalgic
showing or evoking a sad longing for an often idealized past
She felt wistful looking through her college yearbook, remembering old friends she had not seen in decades.
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Recent Examples of wistful
In his fourth feature, American filmmaker Charlie McDowell makes an equally respectful and respectable stab at the task, capturing some of the wistful, soft-sun warmth of Jansson’s writing — though not quite matching its unassuming poetic depths.
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Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
A lot of us tend to recall fun times (playing in leaves, cheering at football games, baking treats with friends and family), but for people who have negative associations with the season, its scent may trigger unpleasant or wistful reminders, Dr. Parma says.
—Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024
But the brothers also encountered plenty of enthusiasm—and some wistful envy from those reminded of their own unrealized yearning for exploration.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
There were still genius oddities here and there—the wistful video gamey emo of Jane Remover’s Teen Week/Frailty, underscores’ fictional town odysseys, DJ Re:Code’s ADHD-core hyper-hyper-pop.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wistful 
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
A lot of us tend to recall fun times (playing in leaves, cheering at football games, baking treats with friends and family), but for people who have negative associations with the season, its scent may trigger unpleasant or wistful reminders, Dr. Parma says.
—Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024
But the brothers also encountered plenty of enthusiasm—and some wistful envy from those reminded of their own unrealized yearning for exploration.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
There were still genius oddities here and there—the wistful video gamey emo of Jane Remover’s Teen Week/Frailty, underscores’ fictional town odysseys, DJ Re:Code’s ADHD-core hyper-hyper-pop.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wistful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wistful
Adjective
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There’s something comforting, nostalgic, and really beautiful about carrying on traditions.Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
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Holidays like Thanksgiving scream tradition and what's more nostalgic than watching a classic holiday special with your family.Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Why not get out your punch bowl and mix up a dreamy batch?Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
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Leaving the dreamy evening armed with the new vanilla-rich 21:50 Rêverie fragrance from Victoria Beckham.Freya Drohan, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Not rotating cushions can lead to uneven use patterns—especially around the center of chairs or the edges of sofas—which can then make cushions look saggy, sloppy, or worn out.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024
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Buffalo Bills 30, Indianapolis Colts 20: The Bills overcame an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Josh Allen to push past the pesky Colts.Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wistful. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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