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
Police interviewed other witnesses, including a neighbor, who overheard the beating.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2026
The two were walking around the Hotel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France, when the conversation was overheard by astute observers.
—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
The racist comment was overheard by students and reported to school staff, but the lawsuit alleges school officials did little to address it.
—
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Libertyville senior shortstop Trevor Wallace, who had just popped out and returned to the dugout to cheer for Holmes, overheard two teammates talking.
—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
TowBoatUS also overheard the report and offered to stand by.
—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Trump answered the phone on speaker, and Bolton overheard the exchange.
—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
While sitting in the intensive care unit, Martin overheard another mother mention her daughter had the same condition.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Arbitello overheard the conversation.
—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2026
The two were walking around the Hotel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France, when the conversation was overheard by astute observers.
—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
The racist comment was overheard by students and reported to school staff, but the lawsuit alleges school officials did little to address it.
—
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Libertyville senior shortstop Trevor Wallace, who had just popped out and returned to the dugout to cheer for Holmes, overheard two teammates talking.
—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
TowBoatUS also overheard the report and offered to stand by.
—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Trump answered the phone on speaker, and Bolton overheard the exchange.
—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
While sitting in the intensive care unit, Martin overheard another mother mention her daughter had the same condition.
—
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Arbitello overheard the conversation.
—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
-
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
-
The proposal, which will be heard at Monday's city council meeting, is estimated by the city to cost between $15,000 and $25,000, primarily because of the cost of materials needed to suspend it at the new location.
Verb
-
Glimmers of this optimism could be spied in the FOMC’s statement, issued ahead of Warsh’s press conference.
-
There, golden bamboo is freshly planted, new curvilinear furniture is featured, high tea is served and Mount Fuji can be spied in the jaw-dropping panoramas on clear days.
Verb
-
The inquiry comes days after The Associated Press reported that DEA agents repeatedly monitored—but did not seize—large fentanyl shipments between 2023 and 2025 while attempting to build broader criminal cases.
-
Officials said the potential for any trace amounts of MMA to be found in the stormwater was low but would be monitored.
Cite this Entry
“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
