listening

present participle of listen
as in hearing
to pay attention especially through the act of hearing would you listen to what I have to say?

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 listening 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 Thank you for watching and listening, and enjoy! Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Practice Active Listening In a world of distractions, listening is radical. Kiran Mann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The transition can be smoother when adults shift from assuming to actively listening. Zakkiyyah T. White, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025 We are not usually triggered while reading a poem, listening to music, or having dinner at home — unless of course the TV is on and phones are being used. Lucy Handley, Big Think, 25 Aug. 2025 After talks started and stalled, the most recent update was the team was listening to trade offers for the perennial edge rusher. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 At the moment of this photo, the whole room was listening to one man talk about his life, while each reflected on their own. Meredith Nierman, NPR, 19 Aug. 2025 Bob had to be valiant, dictatorial, curious, ever listening, wily, playful, deluded, strategic, flirtatious, fallible, political, and willing to protect and persevere against all doubters, critics, compass navigators, naysayers well intentioned or not. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening
hearing
Verb
  • Don Felder, a second cousin who now helps manage Gibson’s estate and legacy, grew up hearing her tell stories breaking the barriers in tennis and then in golf.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Davis remembers hearing the whispers of concern.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Listening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on listening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!