supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee

supervise a large staff

supervised the ship's daily operations

Synonyms of supervise

• oversee
• handle
• manage

Examples of supervise in a Sentence

The builder supervised the construction of the house.

She supervises a staff of 30 workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Krystal Banzon is co-executive producer and story editor, Kris Wimberly is supervising director, Craig Simpson is producer and Francis Giglio is art director. —Kennedy French, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026

Team player representatives, the overall group supervising negotiations, voted 26-4 in favor, leaving the overall ballot at 26-12 for ratification. —CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

These risks become more serious when your job involves driving, operating machinery, working at heights, administering medication, or supervising others in hazardous settings. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026

It also has been cited in numerous lawsuits stemming from crashes that occurred when drivers, believing their Tesla was capable of driving itself, stopped supervising the auto’s operation. —Richard Brack, Austin American Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre, from Latin super- + vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supervise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

: superintend, oversee

Etymology

from Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre "to oversee," from super- "over, above" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision