as in used
to put into action or service
huge dams harness the power of water to produce electricity
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Recent Examples of harnessed
Technology may be part of the problem, but its immense power can be harnessed to create a solution.
—
Nathalie Japkowicz, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
Light energy harnessed in the real world was now playing through the radio of his car in the dream world in the form of melodious static that lulled him either to sleep soundly or to be sound asleep.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In addition, this technology could be harnessed to synthesize fertilizer from atmospheric nitrogen, offering a sustainable path for industrial production and energy harvesting.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
When used correctly, that power can be harnessed for good, heightening the citrus fruit’s bright, piercing notes to soaring new heights.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
The pair took their seats on stage for a conversation on how Wintour harnessed her early interest in fashion and journalism (sparked by her father’s editorship of London’s Evening Standard) to irrevocably shape the American fashion and magazine industries.
—Jenna Adrian-Diaz, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
To sniff out the atomic hydrogen — the more diffuse, cooler gas that acts as the initial, sprawling reservoir for future star formation — the team harnessed the immense power of China's Five Hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST).
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
There was no single tool that could launch devastating new attacks, but large language models were still harnessed to supercharge old tricks of the trade.
—Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Before this 2025 breakthrough, Sabrina had harnessed grassroots organizing and digital advocacy to spotlight the pervasive violence faced by women and girls.
—Anna Mutavati, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Nathalie Japkowicz, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
Light energy harnessed in the real world was now playing through the radio of his car in the dream world in the form of melodious static that lulled him either to sleep soundly or to be sound asleep.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In addition, this technology could be harnessed to synthesize fertilizer from atmospheric nitrogen, offering a sustainable path for industrial production and energy harvesting.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
When used correctly, that power can be harnessed for good, heightening the citrus fruit’s bright, piercing notes to soaring new heights.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
The pair took their seats on stage for a conversation on how Wintour harnessed her early interest in fashion and journalism (sparked by her father’s editorship of London’s Evening Standard) to irrevocably shape the American fashion and magazine industries.
—Jenna Adrian-Diaz, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
To sniff out the atomic hydrogen — the more diffuse, cooler gas that acts as the initial, sprawling reservoir for future star formation — the team harnessed the immense power of China's Five Hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST).
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
There was no single tool that could launch devastating new attacks, but large language models were still harnessed to supercharge old tricks of the trade.
—Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Before this 2025 breakthrough, Sabrina had harnessed grassroots organizing and digital advocacy to spotlight the pervasive violence faced by women and girls.
—Anna Mutavati, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harnessed
Verb
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These ingredients are used in Ana Mandara’s farm-to-table meals, spa products, and custom fragrances.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
In 2017, detectives used DNA samples preserved from Walls' body and the area in which she was found to create an image of a person of interest, according to The Virginian-Pilot.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Falter utilized the new approach after his first week in Omaha.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
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His pinpoint command and deception being utilized against the Phillies hasn’t changed that.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Consistency, applied twice a day every single day over years and decades, is the only thing that genuinely moves the needle on skin health and pleasure is what makes consistency possible.—
Pooja Mistry,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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That or all of Paige's posts are set up for the age restriction trigger, and it was applied to this post in question out of habit.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The other half want the colorful creatures protected and even exploited to boost tourism in the area.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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The suit, which exposed how liability laws can be exploited, may have been eye-opening for the public.—
Greg Hodgen,
Washington Post,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The charges relate to alleged misconduct committed between July 2023 and July 2025 while Gearhart was employed as an agent of the Lakewood Police Department.—
Lisa Starke,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Women continue performing a disproportionate amount of unpaid labor, including childcare coordination, household management, and emotional caregiving -- even while employed full-time.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harnessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harnessed. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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