listening

Definition of listeningnext
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

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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 listening The round-table style of the gathering – pioneered during large-scale assemblies organized by Pope Francis – signals Leo’s plan to continue his predecessor’s approach of seeking a more welcoming church, with leaders listening closely to Catholics in the pews. Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 Seven out of the 10 dogs successfully learned the names of their new toy stingrays and armadillos from passively listening to their owners. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 And if somebody who's listening knows, please come to me. Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026 Thank you so much for listening to another episode of Mixed Signals from us here at Semafor. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026 So Xezal would bring either of her toddlers, the youngest having yet to speak her first word, to sit late into the night listening to Rafiq and his friends recite the effect of circulation time on the magnitude of capital advanced. Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026 Toddlers learn new words in many ways, including passively listening to interactions between adults. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026 The workhouse and August Wilson The great playwright August Wilson, who was born in the Hill in 1945, said that much of his work was informed by his early days spent listening to the stories of the Hill’s oldtimers. Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 Stay informed with more news and analysis by subscribing to the NPR Politics newsletter and listening to the NPR Politics podcast. NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening
hearing
Verb
  • Svalinn hires trainers from many different backgrounds — even prioritizing candidates without dog-training experience — so the dogs get used to hearing commands from a variety of voices, says Greene.
    Megan Sauer Tasia Jensen, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Upon hearing the sentence request, the 65-year-old Yoon smiled inscrutably from his dock in court, while the gallery reportedly erupted with jeers from his supporters.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Listening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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