oversight

noun

over·sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt

Synonyms of oversight

: watchful and responsible care

… you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted …—N. M. Pusey

: regulatory supervision

congressional oversight

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

: an inadvertent omission or error

… whether by oversight or intention …—George Bernard Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

The fact that you didn't get an invitation is surely just an oversight. The error was a simple oversight. The new manager was given oversight of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Authorities also suspended at least five municipal employees responsible for building safety oversight in the area, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Elroy Air later said Chaparral completed a week-long series of flights autonomously with no pilot onboard while operating under Air Traffic Control oversight. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 In March, a California state appellate court ordered the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to comply with a subpoena from an oversight entity for records related to a whistleblower inquiry. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 The American people expect foreign policy to reflect responsible stewardship of public resources, transparent oversight and genuine strategic independence. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oversight

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of oversight was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

overside

oversight

oversigned

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to oversight

Contradictory Words Quiz

Pick out which word means one thing…and the opposite of that thing.

An Overview of the Contronym 'Overlook'

If you're overlooking, are you watching or missing something?

Words That are Their Own Opposites

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

oversight

noun

over·sight -ˌsīt

: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision

have the oversight of a job

: an error or a leaving something out through carelessness or haste

oversight

noun

Synonyms of oversight

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

Word History