as in hearing
to pay attention especially through the act of hearing
would you listen to what I have to say?
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Recent Examples of listening
No one should be subject to listening to the most degrading and profane words that now seem popular with some people.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
In class, students learned how tone and delivery can affect the reception of a message, how childhood can shape one’s perspectives, and the importance of stepping back and listening with intent, among other skills.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
The Indians would say anyone listening to me got a lot of nerve, especially the old Indians.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Despite the herculean efforts of Nowell, original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, and producer Jon Joseph, listening to Until the Sun Explodes feels like scraping up the resin left behind by OG Sublime in the hopes of getting high.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
The listening sessions will be the first in a continuous series, according to the district.
—Samuel O’Neal 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
Earbud Deals The AirPods 4 are what easy listening dreams are made of.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
Improv is listening and trying to find context and making a scene work in the moment with your scene partner.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2026
Who hasn’t nodded along in recognition while listening to a story about a nightmare roommate, or had a narcissistic relative who makes everything about himself?
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
In class, students learned how tone and delivery can affect the reception of a message, how childhood can shape one’s perspectives, and the importance of stepping back and listening with intent, among other skills.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
The Indians would say anyone listening to me got a lot of nerve, especially the old Indians.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Despite the herculean efforts of Nowell, original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, and producer Jon Joseph, listening to Until the Sun Explodes feels like scraping up the resin left behind by OG Sublime in the hopes of getting high.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
The listening sessions will be the first in a continuous series, according to the district.
—Samuel O’Neal 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
Earbud Deals The AirPods 4 are what easy listening dreams are made of.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
Improv is listening and trying to find context and making a scene work in the moment with your scene partner.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2026
Who hasn’t nodded along in recognition while listening to a story about a nightmare roommate, or had a narcissistic relative who makes everything about himself?
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening
hearing
Verb
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Considering his impact on electronic music, hearing Vince say that his original musical influence was acoustic guitar-and-vocal folk is a little unexpected, but not far-fetched.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
17 June 2026
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For most of my life, building those relationships and hearing those stories has been a crucial part of my education.—
Cody Two Bears,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Listening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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