overheard

past tense of overhear
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

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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 overheard Jackson said California's law about confidential communication doesn't apply when there is a reasonable expectation that a conversation could be overheard or recorded. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 One of the first people to join his congregation was Gayana Albayan, who had learned about God through inference and overheard prayer. Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Burial is far and away the blueprint here, evident in the vespertine pads, tape hiss, and hauntological vocal flips, deployed as if overheard from a distant astral plane. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Elsewhere during the event, Harry was overheard providing a few family updates to guests. Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 17 July 2026 Degorski had told an ex-girlfriend of his role in the killings, and a friend who overheard her talking about it in 2002 went to the police. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 Their path to the iconic series began almost by accident after a family friend overheard a casting call for twin girls and connected their father with the opportunity. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 Somehow the staff overheard us. Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Police interviewed other witnesses, including a neighbor, who overheard the beating. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
  • Statum has heard horror-stories about predators lurking on Instagram or Snapchat.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard publicly since succeeding his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike when the war began.
    Bloomberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • On one wall, the researchers spied what first appeared to be patches of dirt or debris on a mural; further scrutiny showed these were actually thin scraps of plaster that were inscribed with strange markings.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The Next Weather Team will continue to track three areas being monitored for possible development from the National Hurricane Center.
    Scott Withers, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Conditions are being monitored day-by-day to determine storm severity.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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