hankered after

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Later in her career, she was, all too often, called upon to play "dragons" and "old bags" when she hankered after more glamorous roles.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

The romantic in me hankered after that golden-age ambience, and Kingston’s plight seemed to sum up the decline of chess since it had been front-page news in the Fischer era.

From The Guardian • Sep. 14, 2016

The new leader, who is 60, had long hankered after the job.

From Economist • Sep. 17, 2015

Now working at the United Nations in New York, Mr. Seddon said he had fabulous dining options in Manhattan but still hankered after goulash and stuffed cabbage.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2015

Like Methuselah I cowered beside my cage, and though my soul hankered after the mountain, I found, like Methuselah, I had no wings.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver