Synonyms for hankering

7 synonyms

noun

Most common

desire craving longing yearning

All synonyms

Noun

craving, desire, yearning, longing, appetite, yen, aspiration

Definitions

n. 1
A strong, restless desire, longing, or mental inclination.

Forms

Plural: hankerings → cravings, desires, yearnings, longings…

Choose the right word

Hankering, Craving or Appetite?

Craving is stronger than hankering; hankering may be the result of a fitful and capricious appetite; craving may be the imperious and reasonable demand of the whole nature.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

desire It is true that we desire to live in a small town.
craving I am always craving new knowledge about anything.
longing He never lost his whimsical longing for adventure.
yearning Nothing can keep me from yearning for freedom.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
hankering		rising
desire		rising
craving		rising
longing		rising
yearning		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: yen¹
6 letters: desire³
7 letters: craving², longing²
8 letters: appetite³, yearning²
10 letters: aspiration⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (desire³ = 3 syllables).