as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
several onlookers gave chase after the thief grabbed the woman's purse
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Recent Examples of onlookers
In the footage, a line of SFPD officers appears to separate onlookers from the federal agents as Lopez-Jimenez is handcuffed and detained.
—
Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, police cordoned off the beach area with construction fences to keep a large crowd of onlookers at bay.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike in the Bay Area, where his every struggle and success was dissected by onlookers local and abroad, the stakes are different in Atlanta.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Later, on the winding hills of Andalusia, the vehicle proved itself an agile grand tourer, stopping onlookers in their tracks much the way the original Testarossa still does.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
The city invited Rodríguez to the demolition in case some onlookers needed counseling.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
On what many onlookers credited with being the loudest night of the season, a kindergartner perhaps epitomized what many of this city’s oldest and most die-hard fans are finally feeling.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The Senate race in particular has political onlookers on the edge of their seats.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, police cordoned off the beach area with construction fences to keep a large crowd of onlookers at bay.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike in the Bay Area, where his every struggle and success was dissected by onlookers local and abroad, the stakes are different in Atlanta.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Later, on the winding hills of Andalusia, the vehicle proved itself an agile grand tourer, stopping onlookers in their tracks much the way the original Testarossa still does.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
The city invited Rodríguez to the demolition in case some onlookers needed counseling.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
On what many onlookers credited with being the loudest night of the season, a kindergartner perhaps epitomized what many of this city’s oldest and most die-hard fans are finally feeling.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The Senate race in particular has political onlookers on the edge of their seats.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
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A bit like modern e-sports, spectators could observe the virtual match.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 2026
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For spectators heading downtown, here's what to know for Sunday's race.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Following a trial described by international observers as a kangaroo court, they were sentenced to death on October 31, 1995.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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This might make observers wonder why Lee even bothered to introduce the measure.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The film directed by Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi invites viewers to reevaluate the current American food system which has achieved massive scale, delivery of cheap calories to consumers and immense profits to mega corporations but at the expense of healthy food and sustainable practices.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
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Belber said the event traditionally stimulates the local economy, bringing visitors into hotels, bars, restaurants and retail shops, not to mention the prestige of highlighting the city of Albany in a tournament that draws international broadcast viewers.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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