Synonyms for listen
ˈlɪs ənlis·ten

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:3.3 / 4 votes

1. listenverb

   To pay attention to a sound, to note.

   Synonyms:
   attend, give ear, mind, heed, wait for, pay attention, obey, note, expect, await, anticipate, list, hear, hark

   Antonyms:
   ignore

2. listenverb

   To wait for a sound, such as a signal.

   You should listen for the starting gun.

   Synonyms:
   heed, mind, pay attention, hear, attend, anticipate, give ear, list, note, await, obey, hark, wait for, expect

3. listenverb

   To accept or obey oral instruction.

   Good children listen to their parents.

   Synonyms:
   anticipate, heed, obey, note, list, wait for, give ear, expect, hear, await, attend, pay attention, mind, hark

   Antonyms:
   disregard, disobey

4. listenverb

   To hear (something or someone), to pay attention to.

   Synonyms:
   await, heed, expect, mind, hear, attend, wait for, anticipate, obey, hark, list, note, give ear, pay attention

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. listen

   Between listen and hear is a difference like that between the words look and see. (Compare synonyms for LOOK.) To hear is simply to become conscious of sound, to listen is to make a conscious effort or endeavor to hear. We may hear without listening, as words suddenly uttered in an adjoining room; or we may listen without hearing, as to a distant speaker. In listening the ear is intent upon the sound; in attending the mind is intent upon the thought, tho listening implies some attention to the meaning or import of the sound. To heed is not only to attend, but to remember and observe. Harken is nearly obsolete.

   Synonyms:
   attend, hark, harken, hear, heed, list

   Antonyms:
   be deaf to, ignore, neglect, scorn, slight

   Preposition:
   We listen for what we expect or desire to hear; we listen to what we actually do hear; listen for a step, a signal, a train; listen to the debate.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. listen

   Synonyms:
   hear, attend, hearken, incline, give ear, heed

   Antonyms:
   disregard, ignore, refuse, repudiate

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. listenverb

   hear with intention

   "Listen to the sound of this cello"

   Synonyms:
   heed, take heed, mind, hear

2. listen, hear, take heedverb

   listen and pay attention

   "Listen to your father"; "We must hear the expert before we make a decision"

   Synonyms:
   see, get word, get wind, take heed, get a line, try, find out, discover, hear, pick up, learn, mind, heed

3. heed, mind, listenverb

   pay close attention to; give heed to

   "Heed the advice of the old men"

   Synonyms:
   take heed, take care, hear, beware, bear in mind, mind, heed

Matched Categories

1. • Obey
   • Perceive

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. listenverb

   Synonyms:
   hearken, hark, hear, give ear, lend an ear, incline an ear, prick up the ears, be all ear

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. listenverb

   Synonyms:
   hearken, eavesdrop, auscultate

   Antonyms:
   disregard, ignore, scorn

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "listen":

   look, hear, listening, listens, iisten, heed, -listen

How to pronounce listen?

How to say listen in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use listen in a sentence?

1. Ken Lui:

   I don't think there will be any big changes in Hong Kong. I hope that Hong Kong will be fine, but does the government listen to its people ?

2. The President:

   I would shut it down. I would listen to the scientists.

3. Van Houtens attorney:

   She chose to go with Manson, she chose to listen to him. And she acknowledges that.

4. Sylvester Turner:

   People that are in elected office and positions of power - we are listening, it's important for us to not just listen, but to do. I want you to know your marching, your protesting has not gone in vain. George did not die in vain.

5. Aloo Denish Obiero:

   Forcing one to listen turns a conversation into a monologue of self-aggrandizement.