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 We weren’t allowed to leave the room to prevent anyone from overhearing our conversations and perhaps posting [the questions] on the Internet. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026 The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 At one point, Piker overhears his brother telling me about his old job as an aerospace engineer at Boeing. Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026 But despite getting back together in season two, the finale ended on a cliffhanger of Alex overhearing Jackie confess her love to his brother Cole. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overhear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhear
Verb
  • Jensen said some residents have begun exploring their legal options, citing both the emotional duress of hearing constant screams and also a fear of potentially lower property values.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Authored by Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan, THR hears that among the topics set to be covered will be Iger’s friendship-turned-rivalry with former Marvel chief Ike Perlmutter.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In industrial manufacturing, they can be used in furnace inspection and temperature-monitoring equipment.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • My goal this season is to monitor all the veteran offseason moves on a week-to-week basis to determine which signings and trades have been most impactful.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • To the north of the fire, between a forest and a small dirt road, Olstead spied a green field—the jump spot.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhear. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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