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
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Recent Examples of overheard
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
In the moments before they were killed, witnesses overheard arguing, followed by several shots being fired, according to a law enforcement source.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
The arrangement unraveled in 2022, after one of the involved parties bragged about it at a professional conference and was overheard by an LAUSD employee who reported the comments to district officials, the complaint said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
His neighbors and roommates overheard the commotion from the shooting.
—Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
In addition to the ring switch-up and Roach's head-turning comments, the actress was overheard accepting well-wishes from attendees at Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 12.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
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
In the moments before they were killed, witnesses overheard arguing, followed by several shots being fired, according to a law enforcement source.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
The arrangement unraveled in 2022, after one of the involved parties bragged about it at a professional conference and was overheard by an LAUSD employee who reported the comments to district officials, the complaint said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
His neighbors and roommates overheard the commotion from the shooting.
—Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
In addition to the ring switch-up and Roach's head-turning comments, the actress was overheard accepting well-wishes from attendees at Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 12.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
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Explosions rang out in Tehran and low-flying jets could be heard for hours as the capital was pounded.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Yes, Kraus has heard that comparison already.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crew experienced a solar eclipse, including 54 minutes of totality where the sun’s light was blocked by Earth, spied planets, photographed the Milky Way and even witnessed flashes of light as space rocks slammed into the moon.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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And Mindi said at one point she was being spied upon.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency also reported earlier the nation’s armed forces monitored a US destroyer seen moving from Fujairah toward the Strait of Hormuz and conveyed this to the US via Pakistani mediators.—
Angela Cullen,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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The mayor’s signature homelessness program monitored 126 encampment sites across the city and visited an interim housing site.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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