harness

verb

Definition of harnessnext
as in to use
to put into action or service huge dams harness the power of water to produce electricity

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 harness This strategic shift is vital for harnessing AI's potential for a better future. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Howard Kendall, Jupp Heynckes and Marcelo Bielsa are among those who have previously harnessed Athletic’s local talent and adapted to the club’s philosophy to leave lasting legacies at San Mames. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 But his ambitions go well beyond dogs — and pets — with Gamgee’s website promising the company will harness AI and genetics to develop personalized treatments for a range of diseases and species, including humans. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 12 Aug. 2026 Properly harnessed, these mineral deposits would do wonders to boost economic growth. — Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harness
  1. use
  2. utilize
  3. exploit
  4. apply
  5. employ
Verb
  • The Triglav Lodge, Slovenia’s highest-altitude guest hut at an elevation of 2,515 meters (8,251 feet), is using paper plates this summer to save water on dishes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has been relatively successful at intercepting the massive numbers of drones that Russia uses in its large-scale attacks.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Last year, Maye was one of the league's most efficient passers and utilized his legs well, albeit against a weak schedule.
    — Austin Mock, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Treatments utilizing mRNA technologies are being used in trials for other forms of cancer, including that of the bladder, kidney, lungs, stomach and pancreas, according to Tarhini.
    — Sony Salzman, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of utilize
Verb
  • Motor vehicle theft, which had spiked in 2022 and 2023 following a social media challenge that helped people exploit a manufacturing issue in some models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, dropped by almost 23% to the lowest levels in more than 20 years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As noted by the NCSC, the vulnerability is being exploited when port 5900 is exposed to the Internet.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploit
Verb
  • The pause that applies to data centers in downtown that are less than 350,000 square feet.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The same principle could potentially be applied to other electrode materials to control multiple charge carriers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • One of its key functions has been for healing, often employing a complex knowledge of medicinal plants and in many cases providing the only medical services available within African American communities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For startups like Code Metal—which employs 123 people—the challenge now is turning one-off opportunities, like the new $80 million Pentagon deal, into repeatable, expandable business.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of employ

Browse Nearby Words

harms
harness
harnessed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harness. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harness

Nglish: Translation of harness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harness

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