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
On June 20, 1940, someone told the night policeman, Tip Hunter, that Elbert Williams, a relative of Elisha Davis, had been overheard proposing a meeting between the Brownsville and Jackson NAACP branches.
—
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Jim MacDonald, a commercial fisherman, had overheard radio transmissions between the Fitzgerald and the Anderson the night of the disaster.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
But Jennings, who overheard that conversation, agreed to answer questions.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2025
According to the post, the woman immediately overheard her seatmate’s displeasure.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Deputies and K-9s searched the area, collected evidence and interviewed nearby residents and employees at businesses who may have witnessed or overheard the attack.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
The narrator and her friend seem slightly embarrassed at the possibility of being overheard—seeing the couple perhaps reminds them that Americans are not simply an idea on a page or in a newspaper headline, but actual people.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Just behind him, while packing up his things, receiver Tyquan Thornton overheard Worthy talking and spoke up — loud enough so the microphones could hear him.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Until, that is, Curry overheard a woman on the bus and had a lightbulb moment.
—Katherine Turman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Jim MacDonald, a commercial fisherman, had overheard radio transmissions between the Fitzgerald and the Anderson the night of the disaster.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
But Jennings, who overheard that conversation, agreed to answer questions.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2025
According to the post, the woman immediately overheard her seatmate’s displeasure.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Deputies and K-9s searched the area, collected evidence and interviewed nearby residents and employees at businesses who may have witnessed or overheard the attack.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
The narrator and her friend seem slightly embarrassed at the possibility of being overheard—seeing the couple perhaps reminds them that Americans are not simply an idea on a page or in a newspaper headline, but actual people.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Just behind him, while packing up his things, receiver Tyquan Thornton overheard Worthy talking and spoke up — loud enough so the microphones could hear him.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Until, that is, Curry overheard a woman on the bus and had a lightbulb moment.
—Katherine Turman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
-
Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Senate Education heard testimony on the bill, indicating lawmakers are serious about the proposal, but the committee has not yet taken a vote.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Upon arriving at the James Madison University campus in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in 1999, Jeff Bourne spied a 12,500-seat football stadium on a campus that only started playing the sport a little more than 25 years earlier.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
19 Dec. 2025
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Where skeptics spied a bubble, the revolution’s leaders saw the dawn of a new era of abundance.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the police source said Nick must be escorted by a sergeant at all times and is monitored with a video camera that is attached to his escorting officer.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Researchers monitored more than 2,000 people for an average of 12 days to track their rest and rhythm activities.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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