overheard

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

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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 That's bad news for Arizonans hoping to catch a sight of the spacecraft soaring overheard, but those willing to make a trip to the launch site in the neighboring state will still be treated to an incredible view of the Falcon 9 blasting off from the ground. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Kizer – their father – was on the phone with her and overheard parts of the spat. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 Our social voyeurism may have deep evolutionary roots The human fascination with watching others—whether through reality TV, Instagram stories or overheard drama—is often dismissed as nosiness. Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2025 But his younger brother — and her secret boyfriend — Alex (Ashby Gentry) overheard their entire passionate confession. EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Nix ordered her to clean the office immediately and was overheard by another prison employee nearby. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2025 Mortensen, who came within 3 feet of Kohberger on the night of the massacre but escaped harm herself, overheard that utterance, according to court documents as well as recently released police records. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Attorneys for the state, which oversees operations at Alligator Alcatraz, said attorneys can already meet with their clients without being overheard by guards. Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025 Jacob called his father prior to his death, and the worried dad overheard Donald shouting vile insults at his son, said prosecutors. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard
Verb
  • One of those bets was £115 but it was heard the same person had placed almost £1,000 on the corners market of a fixture not involving Paqueta just two days earlier.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Putin cannot be heard speaking clearly in Russian in the CCTV clip.
    Reuters, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Though she was monitored by cameras and armed guards, Sara tried in her own way to resist the terrible labor that she’d been forced into.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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