Wistfulness

Wistfulness is a noun that describes a state of being characterized by a deep, often melancholic longing or yearning for something that is lost, unattainable, or that evokes nostalgia. This feeling may be accompanied by a sense of gentle sadness, contemplation, or reflection on things past. wistfulness often denotes an emotional depth that seeks to reconcile what was with what is, stirring contemplative thoughts and a bittersweet awareness of reality.

Wistfulness meaning with examples

• As she stared out the window at the setting sun, a wave of wistfulness washed over her, reminding her of the carefree days of her childhood, filled with laughter and unburdened joy. Despite a smile creeping onto her face, a sense of longing for that simplicity made her heart ache, illustrating how time could inexorably change everything.
• While flipping through the family photo album, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wistfulness as each picture told a different story of love, loss, and growth. Each image brought back vivid memories, but they also reminded him of absences that could never be filled, painting his heart with a bittersweet hue.
• Listening to her favorite song from her teenage years, a sense of wistfulness enveloped her, as the melodies conjured vivid memories of friends, dreams, and ambitions once embraced. Though the music made her smile, it also triggered a reflection on paths not taken and moments that had slipped through her fingers.
• During the family reunion, as laughter echoed around her, she felt a familiar wistfulness for the relatives who could no longer join them. Stories of the past were shared with joy, but beneath it all lingered a poignant reminder of time’s relentless march, leaving some seats at the table heartbreakingly empty.
• Reading old letters from a lost love, he was overwhelmed by a bittersweet wistfulness. The words danced romantically in his mind, but they also served as a stark reminder of how life had pulled them apart, making him reflect on the fleeting, ephemeral nature of love and connection amidst the passage of time.