LISTENED Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

listened

verb

past tense of listen

as in heard

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

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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 listened Listening to the Soviet Navy from space While CORONA photographed military installations, another secret satellite program quietly listened. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 This little addendum—that politics mean nothing to the Bret Easton Ellis of 2023—is eminently untrue, as anyone who has listened to his podcast, which often turns to political commentary, will attest. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 The Marlins listened but ultimately rejected trade overtures for shortstop Otto Lopez, second baseman Xavier Edwards and outfielder Heriberto Hernandez. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Trump emphasizing the industry's importance Wednesday as the Nvidia CEO listened nearby. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Cale will always be thought of as a genius even if few listened to, say, 2024’s Poptical Illusion. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 That was a very special group of players that listened to their coaches and led Michigan and became their most-accomplished team in history. — George Deeb, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The City Council listened, imposing a moratorium on new drive-throughs. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 Pogačar, unable to get back to sleep, listened to Eminem and brewed himself a coffee. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listened

heard

Verb

Statum has heard horror-stories about predators lurking on Instagram or Snapchat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard publicly since succeeding his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike when the war began.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of heard

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listen

listened

listened in (on)

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“Listened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listened. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of listened

verb

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