HARKENED Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

harkened

verb

past tense of harken

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of harkened Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said the idea to provide lunches for students, who can’t be in school because of the ongoing power outage, harkened back to the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Although the look’s pink color is synonymous with Glinda, the gingham harkened back to the blue apron dress that Judy Garland wore as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 31 July 2026 Disney’s 20th Century label harkened back to a beloved tale in which a Devil Wears Prada. — Adam Aron, Variety, 29 July 2026 Wasserman also harkened back to the 1984 Los Angeles Games, when Mayor Tom Bradley prohibited delivery trucks during peak daytime hours. — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Al’s harkened back to another era. — Gregg Olsen, PEOPLE, 26 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harkened

Verb

Investigators obtained footage of prior visits and listened to recorded calls in which Jester and his mother discussed smuggling contraband into the facility, according to the report.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Another time, Tekin and the other women listened as guards bludgeoned a Ukrainian soldier in a cell across the hall.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of listened

Verb

Explosions could be heard as the munitions detonated during the fire, forcing firefighters to stay out of the area for safety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
The ship’s captain has pleaded not guilty to charges including criminal damage in a case set to be heard early next year in Hong Kong, where the company is registered.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026