as in using
to put into action or service
huge dams harness the power of water to produce electricity
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Recent Examples of harnessing
Vincent suggests that companies harnessing the hype around smart tech also antagonized public (mis) understandings of the definitional nuances of artificial intelligence.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The amount of geothermal energy within Earth far exceeds global energy requirements, but harnessing this energy to produce electricity can be difficult.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
In 2010, Icelandic brand Bioeffect staked its claim in the skincare game by harnessing the power of plant biotechnology to produce its now award-winning products.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
And harnessing nuclear power would be a massive breakthrough in enabling an alternative to solar power.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The company has identified the mirrors as a way of harnessing renewable energy.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Beyond gimmicky early adoptions, brands are harnessing AI to make the best products and treatments more personalized—and to even operate actual beauty robots (coming soon to a store near you).
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
The outrage over the city’s new parking fees at Balboa Park seemed ripe for harnessing into an effort to repeal them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution was powered by harnessing physical machinery.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The amount of geothermal energy within Earth far exceeds global energy requirements, but harnessing this energy to produce electricity can be difficult.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
In 2010, Icelandic brand Bioeffect staked its claim in the skincare game by harnessing the power of plant biotechnology to produce its now award-winning products.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
And harnessing nuclear power would be a massive breakthrough in enabling an alternative to solar power.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The company has identified the mirrors as a way of harnessing renewable energy.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Beyond gimmicky early adoptions, brands are harnessing AI to make the best products and treatments more personalized—and to even operate actual beauty robots (coming soon to a store near you).
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
The outrage over the city’s new parking fees at Balboa Park seemed ripe for harnessing into an effort to repeal them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution was powered by harnessing physical machinery.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harnessing
Verb
-
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Advanced criminal operations take things a step further, utilizing AI to generate thousands of fake songs and millions of streams.—
Kyle Eustice,
VIBE.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Vitello’s first three games should be taken with a grain of salt, but what most stood out against New York is that Vitello almost went the entire series without utilizing his bench.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Somewhere along the way, these schemes stopped rewarding loyalty and started exploiting it.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
-
This heinous incident appears to be a deliberate act intended to punish the victim by exploiting her love for her pet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy said in a statement to ESPN that Doncic planned on applying for such a challenge with the reasoning of his child’s birth.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Giants are in town to start a three-game series, the Padres’ first NL West games of the year, and are employing their third different leadoff hitter in four games.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harnessing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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