as in heard
to listen to (another in private conversation)
it's not polite to try to overhear intimate friends sharing confidences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 overheard
The calls, according to people who overheard them, were not always amicable.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Lyonne was overheard asking, Page Six reported.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
The witness and his girlfriend ended up on the same bus as the couple who ran and overheard their conversation, according to the affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The first time he was arrested in December 2024, neighbors overheard an altercation between Fraraccio and Bridgman in their apartment and called police, Bridgman said.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Throughout the day, amid the cacophony of emergency response sirens, the buzz of drones could be heard overheard, sparking fear among the residents below.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Lorincz was also reportedly overheard yelling at the children and seen waving an umbrella at them.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
The dispatcher overheard bystanders rushing to help him before the call disconnected.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Lyonne was overheard asking, Page Six reported.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
The witness and his girlfriend ended up on the same bus as the couple who ran and overheard their conversation, according to the affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The first time he was arrested in December 2024, neighbors overheard an altercation between Fraraccio and Bridgman in their apartment and called police, Bridgman said.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Throughout the day, amid the cacophony of emergency response sirens, the buzz of drones could be heard overheard, sparking fear among the residents below.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Lorincz was also reportedly overheard yelling at the children and seen waving an umbrella at them.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
The dispatcher overheard bystanders rushing to help him before the call disconnected.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
-
But the pregame boos McCollum heard Monday were nothing compared to what the Garden crowd later showered him with after a third-quarter spat with Jose Alvarado.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ned’s father, Bob Hunt, visited the hospital that night to check on English and heard the news he was paralyzed from the neck down.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For years, the rover ascended a feature called Mount Sharp within the crater, aiming to reach clay-rich layers that orbiters circling the planet had spied.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And Mindi said at one point she was being spied upon.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Written and Performed by Michael Jackson Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Mumford’s companion, Maji, remains at the zoo and is being monitored by staff.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
