Definition of overhearnext
as in to hear
to listen to (another in private conversation) it's not polite to try to overhear intimate friends sharing confidences

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 overhear Seven out of the 10 dogs were again reliably able to identify and retrieve the new toys after overhearing the toy names – six of them were among the same dogs that performed well in the first experiment. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations. Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025 As when just standing in the Mingus Quick Stop parking lot and squinting down the street at lifting dust while overhearing from within the most mysterious conversation about missing Little Debbie Honey Buns—not stolen, gradually pilfered, but just missing. David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 During her stint as a cast member in Broadway’s Hair, Keaton was in a constant battle with her weight and overheard a cast member talking about throwing up her food. Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overhear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhear
Verb
  • Instead of music, guests heard radio broadcasts and chatter, as the goal was to make Black Spire Outpost feel rugged and lived-in.
    Todd Martens, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • And then the first shot is heard.
    Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Plus, local families now help monitor wildlife, build new nest boxes and restore habitat within the reserve.
    Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Oncor said crews are monitoring conditions and have additional resources ready to respond if outages occur.
    Erin Jones, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Close had opened his eyes long enough to spy Sahlins and insist, for the last time, that improv was a legitimate art form.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Stroll a path and look down and spy some smiling sunflowers hidden in the bushes.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhear. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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