kenning 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kenningnext
chiefly Scottish
as in halfpenny

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kenning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ken, chiefly Scottish
as in fathoming

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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 kenning
Noun
This is a kenning that evokes a natural transition to darkness and also an unfinished human endeavor. — Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 Most of the writers attempting to imitate Tolkien weren’t steeped in the rhythm of Old English kennings, or the spiritual yearning of chivalric romance. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023 My favorite parts of the book are those where there's a new kenning. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kenning
  1. halfpenny
  2. fathoming
  3. whisper
  4. perceiving
  5. mote
  6. apprehending
  7. atom
  8. following
Noun
  • Indeed, in 2023, his music earned him just shy of $200,000, about one halfpenny at a time.
    — Brett Martin, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
  • In nineteenth-century England, tailors would place old halfpennies in the pockets of a man’s new suit for good luck.
    — Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Definition of halfpenny
Verb
  • For starters, even though federal law requires hospitals to list their prices publicly, fathoming these files is almost impossible.
    — Rufina Chow, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
  • However, Chiefs veteran center Creed Humphrey says his team won't be listening to those, or even fathoming the thought of panicking.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Definition of fathoming
Noun
  • There are whispers in France of these protests transforming into another Yellow Vests movement, which was leaderless, nationwide and unified a broad church of grievances.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dyson Air Purifier Prime Day Deals The Dyson Hushjet is a compact, small-form air purifier that's whisper-quiet but powerful.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • His emergence as the frontrunner to oust Starmer rattled bond markets earlier this year, with investors perceiving Burnham as much more left-leaning than his predecessor.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Here’s what to know—and why consumers may be perceiving a greater number of outbreaks than usual, despite what the data shows.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of perceiving
Noun
  • Tiny bugs float in the sun like dust motes, and there are graceful flies large enough to require a runway landing.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Sunbeams through the windows illuminate floating dust motes—and, imperceptibly, microdroplets of mucus carrying the measles virus, expelled from an infected but asymptomatic child who is hopping and laughing among the others.
    — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of mote
Verb
  • The film cuts between Murray cautiously opening the suspicious package and FBI agents apprehending Kaczynski decades later.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially contacted Roswell police and asked for assistance locating and apprehending Spruill.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprehending
Noun
  • The technique produces individual hydrogen atoms under mild conditions, addressing a long-standing challenge in preparing and using these reactive particles.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mortals have material boundaries formed of atoms and molecules.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of atom
Verb
  • In September, a drone that violated Lithuanian airspace was shot down over the nation’s territory for the first time, following similar incidents in Latvia and Estonia.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The European Research Council supported the research through the H2Bro project, following Rothschild’s ERC Advanced Grant awarded in 2023.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of following

Browse Nearby Words

kennels
kenning
kennings
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Cite this Entry

“Kenning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kenning. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kenning

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kenning

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