Definition of onlookernext
as in observer
someone who sees or watches something several onlookers gave chase after the thief grabbed the woman's purse

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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 onlooker The beluga came from below and passed in one swooping motion, twisting to display its chest to onlookers. Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 Last month, the princess greeted onlookers ahead of her official arrival at Royal Ascot. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 July 2026 To many onlookers, Neil’s shenanigans appear adorably quirky. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 July 2026 Minnesota law enforcement is currently in the process of examining publicly available evidence in both the Good and Pretti cases, including the many videos of both shootings taken by onlookers. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for onlooker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlooker
Noun
  • While the conflict has thus far been driven by advances in aerial drone technology, many observers predicted that the next major battlefield innovation would be the widespread employment of ground robots.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Complicating matters is that the moon is closest to an observer (and therefore is largest in the sky) when directly overhead, at the zenith.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • That first meeting was the only one I’d ever attend as a pure spectator.
    Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
  • The real emotion came in the twilight hours with no spectators around — DeChambeau standing in high grass on the fifth hole with two rules officials, pleading his case and ultimately losing the argument.
    Doug Ferguson, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the season, viewers see Hayward express jealousy when Bienvenue works alongside another female nanny without her around.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • Unlike an actual sporting event, of course, the outcome is engineered, which doesn’t make the golf scenes less suspenseful or exciting for the viewer.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Onlooker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlooker. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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