Yearn, long, hanker, pine all mean to feel a powerful desire for something.
Yearn stresses the depth and passionateness of a desire: to yearn to get away and begin a new life; to yearn desperately for recognition.
Long implies a wholehearted desire for something that is or seems unattainable: to long to relive one’s childhood; to long for the warmth of summer.
Hanker suggests a restless or incessant craving to fulfill some urge or desire: to hanker for a promotion; to hanker after fame and fortune.
Pine adds the notion of physical or emotional suffering as a result of the real or apparent hopelessness of one’s desire: to pine for one’s native land; to pine for a lost love.
Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something.
Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach: a desire for success.
Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger: a craving for food, companionship.
A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time: a longing to visit Europe.
Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing: a yearning for one’s native land.