overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhir 
overheard
ˌō-vər-ˈhərd
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
overheard their conversation
: to overhear something
went someplace where she couldn't overhear
Examples of overhear in a Sentence
She overheard what her boss said to his secretary.
I overheard a rumor about you.
They were overheard discussing the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the hallway during an afternoon break, two jurors could be overheard comparing their own less-than-stellar interactions with their children to an episode in which Karen pulled over on the side of the highway and told Kaley to get out of the car.
—
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Colt overheard this on speaker, which put a rift in his relationship with his mother, Gray said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Sophie overhears Anthony confront Benedict in the study, but Benedict puts up a solid argument that his brother, who has just returned from a trip to India with his wife Kate (Simone Ashley) and their son Edmund, hasn’t witnessed his planning and love for Sophie.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Haley began making the octopi after overhearing a nurse saying some would be helpful in the NICU.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhear
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.
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Colt overheard this on speaker, which put a rift in his relationship with his mother, Gray said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Sophie overhears Anthony confront Benedict in the study, but Benedict puts up a solid argument that his brother, who has just returned from a trip to India with his wife Kate (Simone Ashley) and their son Edmund, hasn’t witnessed his planning and love for Sophie.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Haley began making the octopi after overhearing a nurse saying some would be helpful in the NICU.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhear
Cite this Entry
“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r
overheard
-ˈhərd
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
