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
Residents walked horses through a neighborhood as a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter flew overheard.
—
Sean Emery, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Randall and Julie are also overheard by Sophia, who is always listening in on these characters without being noticed.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
So, pay attention to what grabs your attention now, because the cosmos could be delivering a message through the most random interaction, TikTok scroll or overheard conversation.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Singer Sam Smith is reportedly engaged to British designer Christian Cowan, according to a source who allegedly overheard the couple discussing their betrothal in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Sakeena was standing nearby and overheard much of the conversation.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Unbeknownst to me, a manager overheard our conversation.
—Charleen Richey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Police said at the time of Berera’s arrest that the girl’s boyfriend overheard a lewd conversation between her and Berera and notified her mother, who called police.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Police said at the time of Berera’s arrest that the girl’s boyfriend overheard a lewd conversation between her and Berera and notified her mother, who called police.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Sean Emery, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Randall and Julie are also overheard by Sophia, who is always listening in on these characters without being noticed.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
So, pay attention to what grabs your attention now, because the cosmos could be delivering a message through the most random interaction, TikTok scroll or overheard conversation.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Singer Sam Smith is reportedly engaged to British designer Christian Cowan, according to a source who allegedly overheard the couple discussing their betrothal in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Sakeena was standing nearby and overheard much of the conversation.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Unbeknownst to me, a manager overheard our conversation.
—Charleen Richey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Police said at the time of Berera’s arrest that the girl’s boyfriend overheard a lewd conversation between her and Berera and notified her mother, who called police.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Police said at the time of Berera’s arrest that the girl’s boyfriend overheard a lewd conversation between her and Berera and notified her mother, who called police.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
-
The interaction was captured on camera, and Crow-Armstrong could be heard very clearly.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Murdaugh's defense claimed that Hill influenced the verdict through remarks heard by some jurors during the trial, including in one instance to watch Murdaugh's body language during his testimony, according to court filings.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Toulouse spied potential, not the finished article.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Eighteen Americans who were aboard the ship are currently being monitored in a quarantine unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.—
Lilia Luciano,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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In the United States, more than 40 people are being monitored for the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, which derives from rodents.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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