as in to use
to put into action or service
huge dams harness the power of water to produce electricity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 harness
Only those humans who have mastered this alien species’ language can mind-meld with them to learn their secrets to harnessing space travel.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Inspirational and innovative, this film instantly harnesses your attention and affection.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
This powerful expansion energy is harnessed to drive turbines and generate electricity.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
In 1986, the former actor founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and harnessed her fame to lead campaigns against, among other things, the eating of horse meat and the hunting of turtle doves in France.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harness
Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Inspirational and innovative, this film instantly harnesses your attention and affection.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
This powerful expansion energy is harnessed to drive turbines and generate electricity.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
In 1986, the former actor founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and harnessed her fame to lead campaigns against, among other things, the eating of horse meat and the hunting of turtle doves in France.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harness
Verb
-
Privacy and partners Lenovo built Qira using a hybrid AI architecture.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Soft, spreadable butter that can be used instantly on toast and biscuits, or in baking recipes for cookies, cakes, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The mini-flying probe will utilize active shock-absorption technology to safely land on slopes.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But Hall said this bill, which could be considered by the House when lawmakers reconvene in February, has the potential to harm those youth too because a lot of people experiencing homelessness and utilizing services and shelters are families with children.—
Troy Isbell,
Oklahoma Voice,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Outside the capital, guerrilla groups and organized crime syndicates are exploiting the power vacuum along Venezuela’s borders and in its resource-rich interior.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The final part of the dormancy evolution puzzle is what ecologists refer to as the ecological niche a species occupies — the specific set of conditions that species evolved to exploit or the conditions under which that species is likely to be more successful when compared to other species.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The two, a male and a female, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after Portland police officers applied a tourniquet on scene.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trucking employs millions of drivers across the United States, and experts predict that job roles will evolve as fleets adopt autonomous systems.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Many of those bases employ local workers in roles ranging from food service and construction to logistics and maintenance.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harness. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share