desire for closeness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desire for closeness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing emotional needs or relationships, particularly in the context of wanting intimacy or connection with others. Example: "Her desire for closeness often led her to seek out deep conversations with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There's no emotional desire for closeness.

The New Yorker

There is the profound desire for closeness and the profound fear of the other person.

The Guardian - Music

Mary's desire for closeness with Elizabeth, whom she called her "dear and natural sister," is touching.

The New York Times - Books

Secondly, the cognitive processes organising avoidant behaviour could help direct attention away from the unfulfilled desire for closeness with the caregiver �� avoiding a situation in which the child is overwhelmed with emotion ('disorganised distress'), and therefore unable to maintain control of themselves and achieve even conditional proximity.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Shyness, often seen merely as a wish to withdraw from others, can also amount to an undue interest in them, a desire for human closeness which defeats itself through fear and doubt.

The Guardian - Books

Thus, examining individual differences in the desire for emotional closeness may be helpful when investigating emotional responses to social interactions, such as the social regulation of emotion.

Personality and Individual Differences

The present study examined whether individual differences in the desire for emotional closeness moderate the effectiveness of the social regulation of emotion.

Personality and Individual Differences

Given previous evidence suggesting that approach behaviors of individuals with WS are driven by a desire for social closeness, approachability tendencies were probed across two levels of social interaction: talking versus befriending.

Neuropsychologia

While she spoke of her extraordinary longing for closeness, what flashed into my mind was a line from a Wallace Stevens poem about New Haven, which says, "Next to love is the desire for love".

The New York Times

You're also looking for closeness to the major leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

It isn't their remoteness that fascinates, but their potential for closeness.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing emotional needs in relationships or character development, "desire for closeness" effectively conveys a longing for intimacy and connection. Use it to describe motivations behind seeking deeper relationships.

Common error

Avoid portraying "desire for closeness" as an unhealthy neediness or codependency. Instead, emphasize mutual respect and healthy boundaries in relationships. A genuine desire respects the other person's autonomy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire for closeness" functions primarily as a noun phrase, expressing a longing or yearning for intimate connection with others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It encapsulates the abstract concept of wanting emotional proximity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desire for closeness" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a longing for intimate connection. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and general applicability. While versatile, it is important to distinguish a healthy desire for closeness from unhealthy codependency. Its usage spans across news media, scientific research, and general online content, denoting its broad relevance in describing emotional and relational dynamics. Alternatives include phrases such as "longing for intimacy" and "yearning for connection".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning for connection

Emphasizes a deep longing for a bond.

longing for intimacy

Focuses on the emotional and personal aspect of closeness.

need for connection

Highlights the essential human requirement for social links.

craving for intimacy

Suggests a strong and intense desire for emotional nearness.

wish for rapport

Stresses the intent to establish good mutual understanding and harmony.

seeking emotional proximity

Highlights the active search for emotional nearness.

pursuit of affinity

Focuses on the active chase of mutual connection.

hankering for togetherness

Suggests a powerful craving for being with someone.

quest for attachment

Highlights that desire it's part of an adventurous quest.

inclination to bond

Focuses on the psychological predisposition to form a connection.

FAQs

How can I use "desire for closeness" in a sentence?

You can use "desire for closeness" to describe a character's motivation in a novel, or to explain a person's need for connection in a relationship. For example: "Her desire for closeness led her to seek out deeper conversations."

What's a more formal way to express "desire for closeness"?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "yearning for connection" or "longing for intimacy" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "desire for closeness" the same as "need for closeness"?

While similar, "desire" implies a want or wish, whereas "need" suggests something essential or necessary. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a preference or a fundamental requirement.

Can "desire for closeness" be negative?

It depends on the context. While generally positive, an excessive or unhealthy "desire for closeness" could lead to codependency or boundary issues in relationships.