deep-seated longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep-seated longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong, ingrained desire or yearning that is often difficult to articulate or fulfill. Example: "She felt a deep-seated longing for a sense of belonging that had eluded her for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The show reveals the same deep-seated longing for agreement and consensus that can be felt in electoral politics nowadays, underneath that cynical talking-head level.

The New York Times - Arts

The truth is, each audience member projects their own, particular, deep-seated longing, lust, and love-aspirations on to whichever couple displays the right character, appearance, behaviour, situation, and relating style for their individual tastes.

The Guardian - Film

This co-opting impulse — one that for much of history only emperors and aristocrats could act upon but that is now the province of any tiger-craving Internet surfer juiced-up by a recent episode of Animal Planet — stems less, I think, from a desire to exert continued dominance over the wild than it does from a deep-seated longing for it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They can bring back childhood memories and raise deep-seated feelings of longing (for the look) and loathing (for anyone who can pull it off).

The New York Times

An opiate high feels like a warm hug, the perfect antidote to Justin's deep-seated loneliness and longing for love.

Vice

For Jacobs, the circumcision of Christ vividly illustrates a deep-seated Christian duality: the fear of and longing for an other, at once reviled and internalized.

University of Pennsylvania

Bad behavior is often driven by deep-seated insecurity, self-loathing, fear, and/or a profound longing to be loved.

HuffPost

But wandering may be prompted by deep-seated memories of work, chores, or hobbies, or a longing to return to a former home.

Harvard University

The astonishing outpouring of adulation for Barack Obama was one result of it; the longing for hope and change a symptom of deep-seated anxieties.In this section When the battle's lost and won Heroes and villains Bearers of bad news Voice of reason Cast of millions A wintry thriller ReprintsThose given to such declinism may derive a little comfort from Joel Kotkin's latest book.

The Economist

It may have been a longing for respectability, given his family background, rather than any deep-seated interest in law or administration, that led him to Dewey & LeBoeuf.

The New Yorker

It's deep-seated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deep-seated longing" to convey a sense of profound, almost intrinsic desire, especially when discussing emotional or psychological states. It adds depth to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "deep-seated longing" when a simpler term like "strong desire" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when describing complex, deeply rooted emotions, not trivial wants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep-seated longing" functions as a noun phrase modified by a compound adjective. The adjective "deep-seated" describes the quality of the "longing", indicating its deeply rooted and profound nature. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase as usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep-seated longing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a profound and ingrained desire. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's primarily found in News & Media and Academic contexts. Alternatives such as "profound yearning" or "intense desire" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. It's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where you want to emphasize the depth and emotional weight of the longing. Ludwig AI validates that "deep-seated longing" is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound yearning

Replaces "longing" with "yearning" and "deep-seated" with "profound", emphasizing the intensity of the desire.

ingrained yearning

Uses "ingrained" instead of "deep-seated" to highlight the established nature of the yearning.

rooted desire

Implies the desire is firmly established and difficult to remove.

intense desire

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more direct and common expression for a strong wish.

abiding desire

Emphasizes the persistent and enduring quality of the desire.

unyielding desire

Stresses the firm and unwavering nature of the wish.

intrinsic yearning

Suggests the longing comes from within, being an essential part of one's nature.

inescapable yearning

Implies the longing is impossible to avoid or ignore.

visceral yearning

Indicates the longing is felt deeply in the body, almost instinctive.

primordial longing

Highlights the ancient and fundamental nature of the longing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "deep-seated longing" in a sentence?

Use "deep-seated longing" to describe a yearning that is profound, ingrained, and often difficult to satisfy. For instance, "She felt a "deep-seated longing" for connection after years of isolation."

What are some alternatives to "deep-seated longing"?

Alternatives include "profound yearning", "intense desire", or "ingrained yearning", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "deep seated longing" or "deep-seated longing" correct?

"Deep-seated longing" is the correct spelling. The hyphen connects "deep" and "seated" to form a compound adjective.

What's the difference between "deep-seated longing" and "strong desire"?

"Deep-seated longing" implies a more profound and intrinsic yearning, often related to emotional or psychological needs. "Strong desire" is a more general term for wanting something intensely.