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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onlookers
The man was then led off as onlookers watched in disbelief.
—
Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Rather than leather, the eyestay is made out of a rougher material, and an unshrouded tongue leaves its foam out for onlookers to see.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Later the same day, during a pageant welcome event, Itsaragrisil addressed a crowd of onlookers, apologizing to the Miss Universe delegates who could be seen standing behind him.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by onlookers showed flames on the plane’s left wing on the runway, with the aircraft then barely lifting off the ground before crashing and exploding into a huge fireball.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Screens displayed the election results, periodically refreshed as onlookers awaited the most recent vote tally.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
Not just the two people who are in an adversarial situation, but the onlookers around.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
No, onlookers will not need any equipment to see the meteor shower.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Their table was conspicuously positioned near the restaurant’s front windows, offering onlookers a clear view of the three billionaires clinking glasses and linking arms for a toast.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Rather than leather, the eyestay is made out of a rougher material, and an unshrouded tongue leaves its foam out for onlookers to see.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Later the same day, during a pageant welcome event, Itsaragrisil addressed a crowd of onlookers, apologizing to the Miss Universe delegates who could be seen standing behind him.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by onlookers showed flames on the plane’s left wing on the runway, with the aircraft then barely lifting off the ground before crashing and exploding into a huge fireball.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Screens displayed the election results, periodically refreshed as onlookers awaited the most recent vote tally.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
Not just the two people who are in an adversarial situation, but the onlookers around.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
No, onlookers will not need any equipment to see the meteor shower.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Their table was conspicuously positioned near the restaurant’s front windows, offering onlookers a clear view of the three billionaires clinking glasses and linking arms for a toast.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
-
Then a gunshot appeared to ring out, sending spectators running in the opposite direction.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Pulcer was known for entertaining spectators at the Soo Locks by blasting classical music day or night over the vessel's speakers, Winters said.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But videos captured by other observers and members of the public show an ICE agent approaching a Honda Pilot that was stopped on a snowy road and ordering the driver — later identified as Good — to open the door before grabbing the handle.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Federal agents have been taking in several protesters and observers.—
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The video quickly went viral, reaching over 2 million views with many viewers assuming the image was authentic.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Footage of the shooting has divided viewers, with finger-pointing over who was the aggressor and who was the victim.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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