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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Recent Examples of harkening
The term predates automobiles entirely, harkening back to the Wild West when the passenger sitting next to a stagecoach driver would carry a very literal shotgun.
—
Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Now offering drop-in tastings without an appointment is more common, harkening back to a time when visitors could stop by and sample a few wines while talking with a friendly winery tasting room rep.
—Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Marking the franchise’s first sequel in 14 years, Bloodlines serves as a partial prequel, harkening back to an incident in 1969.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Now offering drop-in tastings without an appointment is more common, harkening back to a time when visitors could stop by and sample a few wines while talking with a friendly winery tasting room rep.
—Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Marking the franchise’s first sequel in 14 years, Bloodlines serves as a partial prequel, harkening back to an incident in 1969.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harkening
listening
Verb
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Smith reportedly called him after listening to Midnight Son and didn't change his original story during their sit-down.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Thank you for watching and listening, and enjoy!—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harkening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harkening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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