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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Everyone in attendance got the best photos – bride and groom included – but to the outside onlooker something was amiss. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 2 July 2025 Though they are often seen boldly trotting along sidewalks and rummaging through residential bins, foxes have also roused strong reactions from onlookers, ranging from adoration to outright resentment. Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 30 June 2025 Numerous cellphone videos from nearby onlookers captured the moment the ship's masts, decorated with lights, collided with the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 June 2025 Clad in an off-the-shoulder black dress and sun hat — and holding an Hermès Kelly clutch — the new Mrs. Bezos waved and blew kisses to onlookers as her husband helped her into the boat and the two arrived at Harry's. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for onlooker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlooker
Noun
  • Industry observers said China is wise to go back to its well of popular martial arts classics out of Hong Kong, which have inspired U.S. action movies for decades.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • As pension debt ballooned along with the proportion of the city’s budget (slowly) dedicated to funding pension systems and as property taxes rose, observers began taking more notice.
    Jennifer Hochschild, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Frogs croaked from nearby waterholes, joining the chorus of spectators who hollered as the announcer introduced their favorite racers — along with their laundry lists of sponsors.
    William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • Thousands of spectators gathered in downtown Danville to celebrate 249 years of freedom during the annual Fourth of July parade along San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Hartz Avenue on Friday morning.
    Ray Chavez, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • But this is the least amount of episodes a season has had, so that means viewers will finish more quickly.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Content creators have turned eating the fruit desserts in their cars into a trend, attracting millions of viewers on TikTok. More than 115 million people watched a video of French pastry chef Cédric Grolet make fruit pies that resemble giant blueberries, peaches, oranges and raspberries.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Onlooker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlooker. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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