LISTENING Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

listening

verb

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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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 The layout splits between a restaurant and a cocktail bar, with a listening lounge tucked into the back corner, whose walls come alive with flickering anime cartoons. — Jaclyn Degiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 The words were collected during listening sessions and school visits. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Knight said his faith has been a constant in his life, growing up in the Episcopal Church listening to his father preach every Sunday in Easthampton, Massachusetts. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 The two firefighters, listening to their radios, hustled to the upstream bridge, prepared rope and watched the water. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Adam is being self-loathing, but Lee, who was listening, walks away. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Carlos [O’Connell], our guitarist, grew up in Spain and had been listening to her first couple of records. — Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 But sitting among my peers, listening to their writings, I was strengthened. — Paula Grieve, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 As Jose spoke, Courtney sat next to her mother, listening intently as tears slowly rolled down her face. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening

hearing

Verb

Helping other families Their experience seeking answers in Amy’s case and hearing other families describe similar struggles, prompted Shawn and Angie to consider starting a nonprofit years ago.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Police detained Runa at the care home and took her away before her mother, who had rushed back to the facility upon hearing the news, had a chance to see her, Yoko recalled.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026