Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb yearn

3 senses of yearn

Sense 1
hanker, long, yearn -- (desire strongly or persistently)
       => desire, want -- (feel or have a desire for; want strongly; "I want to go home now"; "I want my own room")

Sense 2
ache, yearn, yen, pine, languish -- (have a desire for something or someone who is not present; "She ached for a cigarette"; "I am pining for my lover")
       => hanker, long, yearn -- (desire strongly or persistently)

Sense 3
yearn -- (have affection for; feel tenderness for)
       => care for, cherish, hold dear, treasure -- (be fond of; be attached to)