The term INTENSE HUNGER can be summarized by two crossword solutions, LUST and YEN. LUST is a strong desire or craving, usually for something that is not necessary for survival. It is often used to describe an intense sexual desire. YEN is a strong feeling of wanting or desiring something. It is often used to describe a strong desire for something that is not necessarily attainable. Together, these two words describe an intense hunger or craving for something that is not necessary for survival.