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

At the time of his arrest, McQuay supervised about 15 officers assigned to a patrol unit in Fresno’s northeast policing district. — Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

The suit claims MassMutual failed to supervise Uhls properly, which led him to defrauding investors. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

These officials can oversee voter registration, issue guidance to local election administrators, supervise election procedures and, in many states, participate in certifying results. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Request the treating physician’s name and qualifications, then ask who performs each stage and how the physician supervises the team. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 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
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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