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 The outlet also said correspondents overheard shots near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
  • As Augie Lopez trotted around the bases late Monday night, the small contingent of USC fans could finally be heard at Blue Bell Park.
    Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • The jury pool was asked questions, like who had heard about the case.
    Ashley Paul, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Except from one small group, who spied the women coming out of the pool and seemed to fix on them with special focus.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • More accolades followed, as Wyatt's steamy Bold entrance on a 2013 episode (being spied naked in an outdoor shower by Kim Matula's Hope Logan) announced a major new player in the soap's setting in the cutthroat Los Angeles fashion industry.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • Some isolation rooms at the University of Nebraska center are currently occupied by people who are being monitored for hantavirus.
    Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
  • Wearing collars to trigger automatic feeding machines which mix milk with powdered milk to order for each individual, and tags on their ears for identification, they are very closely monitored.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 7 Jun. 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