Yearn

verb/yurn/

Meaning

have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.

In context
She yearned for a return to happier times.

Remember it

Yearn sounds like 'earn' with a Y—you can't just earn what you yearn for; you deeply long for it.

Use it well

Verb, usually 'yearn for'; stronger and more emotional than 'want'—good for heartfelt writing.