harkening

present participle of harken
as in listening
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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Example Sentences

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 harkening The name also has some sentimental meaning for Meghan, harkening back to a childhood nickname given to her by her mother Doria. Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 The styling had a distinctly ’90s feel, harkening back to the workout bodysuits of yore and the decade’s playful experimentation with color. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026 The Tonight Show really Tonight Show’d off, harkening back to the Carson days with both stand-up and magic making appearances in the lineup. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 June 2026 Steven Spielberg is sometimes unfairly tagged as the ultimate Boomer, repeatedly harkening back to the entertainment that spellbound him in his youth. David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Each space boasts exposed brick and timbered ceilings, harkening to the industrial construction of the 19th-century building. Matt Kirouac, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026 That, married with orchestra and Mando’s bass recorder, is a sound harkening back to his days as a producer for Childish Gambino (Donald Glover’s musical stage name). Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 May 2026 Civil rights activists and Democratic lawmakers have said the redistricting dilutes the voting power of Black voters, harkening back to the south's history before the movement for civil rights. Larry Kaplow, NPR, 9 May 2026 But, harkening to the indie roots of the filmmakers, there is a creative spin to the proceedings. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harkening
Verb
  • Between driving, walking while listening to podcasts, and firing off every random question that pops into my head, these might actually stick around.
    Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That gave us more than 2,100 sensors, spaced only a few feet apart, all listening to the ground at once.
    Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For years now, womenswear designers have been delivering us long, thin (and often useless) scarves—harking all the way back to early-aughts Chloé and Marc Jacobs days, when boho-chic ruled the runways.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Harkening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harkening. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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