as in listened
to pay attention especially through the act of hearing
young people would do well to read this wise and witty book and harken to its message
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Recent Examples of harkened
Taylor Swift ditched her now-signature sense of style for a much simpler look that harkened back to her county music roots.
—
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Moise harkened it to 2010, when at least nine candidates were vying to succeed Meek in Congress.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Kiddon harkened back to the early days of the La Grange post’s Memorial Day observances, which have been a tradition there for 82 years.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
The pasta course harkened back to springtime, with a housemade pappardelle, silky noodles tossed with the restaurant’s bacon, baby artichokes, asparagus and wild fennel.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
The album needed a four-minute thrash song that harkened back to our first era.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Semafor China Columnist Andy Browne wrote of how the meeting in Beijing harkened back to a prior, simpler era.
—semafor.com, 15 May 2026
While the collection was not explicitly an homage to Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, several of the aesthetic choices for the models and designs harkened back to the two-time Oscar-winning actress’ career.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
After directing Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in 1992’s Far and Away, Howard was itching to do a film about a newspaper that harkened back to titles like Cary Grant’s 1940 comedy His Girl Friday.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Moise harkened it to 2010, when at least nine candidates were vying to succeed Meek in Congress.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Kiddon harkened back to the early days of the La Grange post’s Memorial Day observances, which have been a tradition there for 82 years.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
The pasta course harkened back to springtime, with a housemade pappardelle, silky noodles tossed with the restaurant’s bacon, baby artichokes, asparagus and wild fennel.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
The album needed a four-minute thrash song that harkened back to our first era.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Semafor China Columnist Andy Browne wrote of how the meeting in Beijing harkened back to a prior, simpler era.
—semafor.com, 15 May 2026
While the collection was not explicitly an homage to Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, several of the aesthetic choices for the models and designs harkened back to the two-time Oscar-winning actress’ career.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
After directing Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in 1992’s Far and Away, Howard was itching to do a film about a newspaper that harkened back to titles like Cary Grant’s 1940 comedy His Girl Friday.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harkened
Verb
-
The astronomers made their case for a solution—and the government listened.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 May 2026
-
Continually surrounded by well-wishers during an hour of socializing before a formal program of speakers and videos recollecting his career, Lubelfeld listened to what others had to say before speaking himself.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
As Augie Lopez trotted around the bases late Monday night, the small contingent of USC fans could finally be heard at Blue Bell Park.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The jury pool was asked questions, like who had heard about the case.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harkened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harkened. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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