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
Expanding access to education and improving learning quality will require harnessing innovation and strengthening political will.
—
Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In the age of mainstream AI, designers are faced with the choice of harnessing the technology for their work or intentionally flouting it in favor of untouched human creativity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Moving forward, TuneCore will prioritize harnessing more fully the capabilities of Believe, to help artists grow globally.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
Now, new research has shed light on their origin story – and opened the door to innovative ways of harnessing these compounds for human medicine.
—New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2026
The program was originally designed to save taxpayers money while offering seniors additional options by harnessing the power of competition and forcing insurers to compete for seniors’ business.
—Robert Romano, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
One point that needed to be solidified was building suitable means of production, particularly harnessing the know-how of Chanel’s watchmaking facilities in the Swiss city of La-Chaux-de-Fond, where the overwhelming majority of the line is made.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Jan. 2026
China’s leadership wants every civil servant, lab scientist, factory manager, corporate executive, and army general to be harnessing AI asap.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Only those humans who have mastered this alien species’ language can mind-meld with them to learn their secrets to harnessing space travel.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In the age of mainstream AI, designers are faced with the choice of harnessing the technology for their work or intentionally flouting it in favor of untouched human creativity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Moving forward, TuneCore will prioritize harnessing more fully the capabilities of Believe, to help artists grow globally.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
Now, new research has shed light on their origin story – and opened the door to innovative ways of harnessing these compounds for human medicine.
—New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2026
The program was originally designed to save taxpayers money while offering seniors additional options by harnessing the power of competition and forcing insurers to compete for seniors’ business.
—Robert Romano, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
One point that needed to be solidified was building suitable means of production, particularly harnessing the know-how of Chanel’s watchmaking facilities in the Swiss city of La-Chaux-de-Fond, where the overwhelming majority of the line is made.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Jan. 2026
China’s leadership wants every civil servant, lab scientist, factory manager, corporate executive, and army general to be harnessing AI asap.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Only those humans who have mastered this alien species’ language can mind-meld with them to learn their secrets to harnessing space travel.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harnessing
Verb
-
The reversal follows a string of high-profile shootings involving federal immigration agents in which eyewitness statements and video evidence have called into question claims made to justify using deadly force.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Following his 13-minute set, reviews began pouring in, with public figures utilizing social media to weigh in on the Grammy Award winner’s landmark performance.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Patriots scored a league-high 10 touchdowns utilizing jumbo formations this season.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Quantum systems promise new ways to solve specific classes of problems by exploiting superposition and entanglement.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The agency is working with its partners to stop hackers from exploiting any of the vulnerabilities identified in the report, said Nick Andersen, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Newton will be restricted from rejoining the department or even applying for private security license that is authorized by the Board of Police Commissioners.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Yakitori is thriving, employing more people than ever and expanding its hours.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
One practice that Swabb has been employing is adding unexpected artwork to rooms throughout her own home that need a bit of extra zing.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harnessing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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