hearken

verb

heark·​en ˈhär-kən How to pronounce hearken (audio)
variants or harken
hearkened or harkened; hearkening ˈhär-kə-niŋ How to pronounce hearken (audio)
ˈhärk-niŋ
 or harkening
Synonyms of hearken

intransitive verb

1
: listen
… hearkened without much mental comment.—Theodore Dreiser
2
: to give respectful attention
The humble folk who hearkened to these evangelists …—G. M. Stephenson
3
: to bring to mind something in the past : hearken back
Portrayals of dinosaurs with lizard-like tongues hearken to early interpretations of the beasts as oversized lizards.—Mindy Weisberger

transitive verb

archaic : to give heed to : hear

Synonyms of hearken

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Examples of hearken in a Sentence

hearken! I hear the distant beat of the hooves of many horses
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wingback chairs and an antebellum piano hearken to the past in this historic home. Use a fabric pattern to inspire the color scheme and style of your room. — Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025 What is your response to the criticism that this pick hearkens to an era of Florida politics that is long gone? — Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026 The bold World of Beer signage and Wild Wing Cafe mural also hearken to its past. — Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2025 My first impressions were of a gorgeous restaurant and bar that hearkens in style to the glory days of hotel dining with its art deco touches and soaring ceilings. — Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hearken

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herknen, from Old English heorcnian; akin to Old High German hōrechen to listen, Old English hīeran to hear

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hearken was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hearken

Rhymes for hearken

See All Rhymes for hearken

Browse Nearby Words

hearing-impaired
hearken
hearken back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hearken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearken. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hearken

verb
hear·​ken
ˈhär-kən
hearkened; hearkening
ˈhärk-(ə-)niŋ
: listen sense 1, attend

More from Merriam-Webster on hearken

Nglish: Translation of hearken for Spanish Speakers

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