ear

noun

ˈir How to pronounce ear (audio)
Definition of earnext
as in attention
a state of being aware I'm trying to get the boss's ear in order to ask for a raise in my pay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ear In July 2024, a gunman in Pennsylvania fired multiple shots at Trump, grazing his right ear and killing a rally attendee before the Secret Service fatally shot the gunman. — Angelique Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 Apple AirPods Pro 3 Deal Deals like this one are music to our ears. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 This animal, with its long anteater snout and small ears, starred in Arthur's Nose, published in 1976. — Ashley Montgomery, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026 Deryck gathered up the platinum blonde lengths and rolled them into two equal portions on either side of Megan's head, pinning and sculpting them to resemble the pointed shape of a cat ear. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ear
  1. attention
  2. awareness
  3. eye
  4. mindfulness
Noun
  • While the Blue Demon induces perceptual disorientation, the Rooster privileges visual attention and the architectural discipline of gaze.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But while Antetokounmpo gets most of the attention as the Heat’s new star, Adebayo will again be relied on to be the team’s leader.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • As awareness grows, primary-care doctors and gynecologists are likely to see more patients asking about scent changes.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The award is presented by the American Heart Association to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and funds for its mission.
    — PJ Green October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of awareness
Noun
  • Anyone who trains their eyes too closely on one policy adjustment risks missing the forest for the trees.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • As an adolescent, Winston could hardly have imagined the cascading effect of his shrewd eye for color and clarity.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of eye
Noun
  • The sailing is also designated as one of the line’s Wellness at Sea sailings, bringing together wellness, fitness, and mindfulness sessions all led by experts.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Strangely enough, they can be calmed by conducting mindfulness exercises.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of mindfulness

Browse Nearby Words

eagle-eyed
ear
earache
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ear. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ear

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All