harken

as in to listen
to pay attention especially through the act of hearing young people would do well to read this wise and witty book and harken to its message

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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 harken The piece of the puzzle that clicks into place this episode harkens back to Hal’s childhood. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026 This piece from Josh Johnson about New Jersey councilman and former hitman John Alite harkened back to that format. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 His idiosyncratic movement style combines classical ballet, modern dance and emphatic physical theater, harkening back to his early training in Chicago with Sybil Shearer. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Conceptually, Zero Zero’s sauces each pay homage to a specific region in Italy, harkening upon Midwestern offerings and Italian inspiration. — Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harken
Verb
  • The body performs them automatically while the driver listens to music, talks with a passenger or eats a sandwich.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The first phase is the music one listens to while thinking about writing, and the second is the music one listens to while actually writing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a case about the role race plays in middle school admissions, three years after a majority on the high court struck down affirmative action in college.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Trying to exonerate herself, Erin lays out this confusing defense about how her makeup guy heard about Sai’s divorce at a beauty event.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Harken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harken. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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