as in spectators
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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Recent Examples of onlookers
The couple was also spotted enjoying drinks over the weekend and chatting with onlookers.
—
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The 8-year-old leapt into the ring bearing a black practice sword and called his stepfather, Joe Deaton, to meet his challenge, as onlookers at the nonprofit Folsom Renaissance Faire looked on.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The goal is to try to replicate some of the joy Roan carries with her on stage and share it with visitors and onlookers driving on Broadway Boulevard and Valentine Road.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
With Musk pushed out of the administration and DOGE's influence waning, some onlookers predicted in the weeks leading up to the shutdown deadline that the White House would be less eager to terminate more jobs.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
In another killing, a man was chased through two complexes at night, with onlookers witnessing part of the chase but unsure of what was happening.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Many onlookers have been impressed, noting that the studies offer some of the clearest evidence yet that LLMs can generate ideas worth testing at the bench.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2025
The pair then transport it and load it into the rear seat of a sheriff’s office SUV followed by celebratory fist bumps with some neighborhood onlookers.
—Richard Tribou, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Saturday’s onlookers included Marine veteran Greg Swanberg of La Jolla, one of Lizarraga’s longtime friends.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The 8-year-old leapt into the ring bearing a black practice sword and called his stepfather, Joe Deaton, to meet his challenge, as onlookers at the nonprofit Folsom Renaissance Faire looked on.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The goal is to try to replicate some of the joy Roan carries with her on stage and share it with visitors and onlookers driving on Broadway Boulevard and Valentine Road.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
With Musk pushed out of the administration and DOGE's influence waning, some onlookers predicted in the weeks leading up to the shutdown deadline that the White House would be less eager to terminate more jobs.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
In another killing, a man was chased through two complexes at night, with onlookers witnessing part of the chase but unsure of what was happening.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Many onlookers have been impressed, noting that the studies offer some of the clearest evidence yet that LLMs can generate ideas worth testing at the bench.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2025
The pair then transport it and load it into the rear seat of a sheriff’s office SUV followed by celebratory fist bumps with some neighborhood onlookers.
—Richard Tribou, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Saturday’s onlookers included Marine veteran Greg Swanberg of La Jolla, one of Lizarraga’s longtime friends.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
-
On Saturday, McIlroy repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults at the Irishman.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Where can spectators park for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When the Braves failed to gain traction by early summer, the consensus among baseball observers was that Snitker wouldn’t be fired during the season.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Carr has been far more activist than many observers expected, with his efforts seemingly aimed more at national networks, not stations.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The video has touched viewers deeply, sparking an outpouring of emotions online.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The screen’s bulk and curvature strain outward to encroach upon viewers, who watch from tiered bleachers enclosed on three sides by a chain-link fence.—
Anne Reeve,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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