LISTENS Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

listens

verb

present tense third-person singular of listen

as in hears

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

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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 listens 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, 23 Oct. 2026 The smiling, amiable android understands very little about her surroundings, believing that the sun (which recharges her batteries) is a deity that listens to her prayers to be chosen by a human. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 To prepare for her roles, Edgar-Jones listens to songs that get her into the character’s headspace. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Authentic connection comes from consistently demonstrating that the organization listens, learns and acts on what matters to its customers. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Before any cymbal leaves the factory, a shokunin strikes it and listens, comparing its sound against a pristine reference by ear. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 Strangely enough, Porsha’s humor gets through to Luann, who listens to what the rest of the cast has to say about her and decides to take stock of her behavior and try to do better. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Eventually, Karen finds the phone and listens to the recordings, which help prove Babette’s guilt. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listens

hears

Verb

Deadline hears that the BBC has held tentative discussions about whether Sounds could be folded in with iPlayer to create a single streaming service for video and audio, not unlike Netflix and YouTube.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026
Her 7-year-old hears the conversations around her, sees the protests in her community and notices the visiting canal personnel.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026