If you’re searching for words to describe missing someone a lot, we’ve include 10 below that you need to know about!
1. Yearning
Definition
Desire, wanting; a strong sensation of need.
Examples
“She was filled with yearning as if a piece of her had been ripped away.”
“Carlos couldn’t shake off the persistent yearning that filled his dreams.”
How it Adds Description
“Yearning” describes a powerful compulsion to be reunited with one who is sorely missed. It defines an emotional response, highlighting the strong attachment to and the significance of the person who is being missed. This state of mind can motivate prospective actions or decisions aimed at reconnecting with the loved one in a story.
2. Emptiness
Definition
Void, absence; feeling devoid of somebody that you miss.
Examples
“Hannah left behind a hollow emptiness as if a part of Tom’s soul was gone forever.”
“She tried to fill the emptiness with distractions, but nothing could replace her lost love.”
How it Adds Description
The word “emptiness” conveys a profound hunger for someone that leaves a hole. It’s not just a portrayal of grief, but a complete vacuum that engulfs a character. This highlights the impact of the person’s absence on their life. The need to fill this abyss becomes the motivation that drives them to reconnect with their loved one or find solace through other means.
3. Haunting
Definition
Persistently recurring, difficult to forget; evoking strong emotions.
Examples
“Her memory lingered like a haunting aura, a constant reminder of what was lost.”
“Sayed’s voice echoed in Julie’s head, haunting her with thoughts of their time together.”
How it Adds Description
The term “haunting” describes the sensation of a lingering presence, where memories of a person are intertwined with their absenteeism, creating an almost ghostly experience. This description helps to set the stage for a journey of self-discovery, healing, or a quest to reunite with the missing person.
4. Pining
Definition
Longing, desire; to feel an intense infatuation.
Examples
“He spent sleepless nights pining for her, lost in memories of their time together.”
“The pining was a constant ache, a reminder of the empty space left by his former spouse.”
How it Adds Description
Using the word “pining” hints at emotional distress that goes beyond ordinary want. This can highlight a character’s motivation and provides insight into their private journey. It sets the stage for potential actions the character may take to alleviate their pining, such as embarking on a search, making sacrifices, or pursuing a reunion, adding tension and character depth to the plot.
5. Aching
Definition
Sore, painful; characterized by or causing distress.
Examples
“She was aching for his return, a persistent need that seemed to have no end.”
“The aching in his chest grew with every day that he spent without Samantha.”
How it Adds Description
“Aching” adds a poignant and visceral description of the experience of missing another person. It signifies that this is not just a passing feeling but something that deeply affects the character’s thoughts, actions, and motivations. Such a description can become a driving force in the plot, propelling the character to take action, seek resolution, or find a way to alleviate their agony.
6. Wrenching
Definition
Agonizing, heartbreaking; causing great pain or discomfort.
Examples
“The separation was soul wrenching, tearing at the very fabric of their connection.”
“He felt a wrenching void in his chest without Carolyn by his side.”
How it Adds Description
The term “wrenching” adds a poignant description of lacking someone’s presence. It describes a profound ache, indicating that the connection was substantial and that possible consequences may emerge based on a character’s sentiments. Such thoughts can prompt a richer exploration of a character’s role in the plot and the decisions they make.
7. Consumed
Definition
Overwhelming, all-encompassing; taking up one’s attention, interest, or energy completely.
Examples
“Remembrances of his absent children consumed him, leaving little room for anything else.”
“She was consumed by a need for his touch, her psyche constantly occupied by reflections on him.”
How it Adds Description
“Consumed” suggests that thinking of a person has become all-encompassing and dominates a character’s emotions, conveying that their emotional state as something that cannot be easily ignored or suppressed. This can foreshadow the potential impact a future return or reconciliation may have on the character and the storyline.
8. Melancholy
Definition
Sadness, mourning; a feeling of pensive gloom.
Examples
“A wave of melancholy washed over her whenever she thought of him, a deep sense of longing mixed with bittersweet memories.”
“Chad stared into the distance with a melancholy expression, absorbed in the thoughts of a woman he still loved.”
How it Adds Description
“Melancholy” encapsulates the profound and lingering sense of sadness, nostalgia, and want that a character feels without a much-missed loved one. It provides a glimpse into their state of mind and the impact the absence has on their well-being. By highlighting this depth of being without another person, the writer allows readers to empathize with the protagonist’s struggle.
9. Craving
Definition
Hunger, thirst; an intense hankering for a loved one.
Examples
“She had an insatiable craving for him, a hunger that could not be satisfied.”
“Dan’s mind was occupied by an overwhelming craving after his fiancée disappeared, a need that seemed to grow stronger daily.”
How it Adds Description
While lacking someone alone conveys a perception of longing, the addition of “craving” amplifies the depth of emotion involved. It suggests an insatiable desire that goes beyond mere want for a person’s presence. This word choice implies that the character’s emotions are overpowering, perhaps even bordering on obsession.
10. Heartache
Definition
Sorrow, pain; a deep ache in the heart.
Examples
“Every breath was accompanied by heartache, a constant reminder of the person she missed.”
“He carried the weight of heartache, a burden that grew heavier with each passing day.”
How it Adds Description
The term “heartache” expresses the misery and sorrow that a character feels without a certain individual. It taps into the universal understanding of the term, evoking a sense of empathy and relatability among readers. This sort of intensity propels the plot forward by highlighting the significance of the relationship between the character and the person they miss.