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
Note - At the United Nations Science Summit 2025 a session looks at the potential of harnessing prosocial AI to help everyone a chance to thrive.
—
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Perhaps most notably, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, tried harnessing high-flying balloons to beam internet access to underserved areas with Project Loon, but the company later shut down the project.
—PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
For years, researchers have dreamed of harnessing DPPs to control light in the terahertz (THz) frequency range, a largely untapped part of the spectrum that sits between microwaves and infrared light.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
During his 50-year solo career, the designer transformed the red carpet into a runway, teaching Hollywood how to dress and harnessing the power of celebrity to build his global fashion empire—and his legacy.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Executive coaches today face the challenge of harnessing technology's efficiency while at the same time preserving the human connections that drive genuine leadership growth.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
By harnessing virtual particles that constantly blink in and out of existence, a new type of sensor can detect infinitesimal vibrations to identify molecules.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025
But harnessing that kind of power would require extremely advanced technology.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
While these gargantuan commercial-grade wind turbines can supply an impressive amount of power to a large collection of homes, German company SkyWind has taken a different, and user-friendly, approach to harnessing wind energy.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Perhaps most notably, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, tried harnessing high-flying balloons to beam internet access to underserved areas with Project Loon, but the company later shut down the project.
—PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
For years, researchers have dreamed of harnessing DPPs to control light in the terahertz (THz) frequency range, a largely untapped part of the spectrum that sits between microwaves and infrared light.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
During his 50-year solo career, the designer transformed the red carpet into a runway, teaching Hollywood how to dress and harnessing the power of celebrity to build his global fashion empire—and his legacy.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Executive coaches today face the challenge of harnessing technology's efficiency while at the same time preserving the human connections that drive genuine leadership growth.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
By harnessing virtual particles that constantly blink in and out of existence, a new type of sensor can detect infinitesimal vibrations to identify molecules.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025
But harnessing that kind of power would require extremely advanced technology.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
While these gargantuan commercial-grade wind turbines can supply an impressive amount of power to a large collection of homes, German company SkyWind has taken a different, and user-friendly, approach to harnessing wind energy.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harnessing
Verb
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The Harvest Facial showcases Napa’s LIV + GRACE SKINCARE, using a soothing pumpkin enzyme mask to bring out autumn radiance.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bin Laden, through the al-Qaida terrorist organization, targeted the United States for nearly a decade before the 9/11 attacks in 2001, utilizing this large and expansive infrastructure.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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There were more than 3,000 new downloads of the IndyCar app over race weekend, with 80,000 fans utilizing the app on race day.—
Bruce Martin,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For society, all sorts of complex questions arise if the basic science affirms the conditions necessary for exploiting the water.—
Rodrique Ngowi,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Roblox’s child safety policies have long faced criticism, and a Bloomberg investigation in 2024 found that police in the United States had arrested at least two dozen users accused of exploiting minors since 2018.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The paper also highlights the potential of digital twins — virtual patient replicas that allow doctors to simulate treatments before applying them in real life.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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By applying Stoic principles, individuals can filter out the noise, focus on the controllable, and approach financial decisions with clarity rather than fear.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Russia's Influence Operations in 2016, Russia conducted extensive campaigns during the presidential election, employing fake personas, troll farms, and manipulated content to inflame racial, ideological, and cultural divisions.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Filed on behalf of two asylum seekers detained outside the San Diego federal building’s immigration court this year, the lawsuit claims that the federal government is employing tactics that violate individuals’ due process rights.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harnessing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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