overheard

Definition of overheardnext
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

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 Kelsey Pomeroy once overheard her husband bragging about her to one of his engineering coworkers. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
  • The two men were too far away to be heard by reporters, and television cameras did not pick up the audio.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • North Carolina has more than its share of mythical creatures – from the Beast of Bladenboro to the Wampus Cat – so people pay attention when bizarre screams are heard in the night.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 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
  • In those policies, residents can be reminded that the cameras are not continuously monitored (if that is the case) and assured that no neighbors have access to the recordings.
    Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • In addition to going door to door, law enforcement officials used helicopters, drones and monitored surveillance footage during their investigation, CBS News reported.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on overheard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster