as in hearing
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 overhearing
The episode ends with Teddy getting a voicemail from Owen and overhearing a bridge collapse and car crash that may be fatal.
—
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Another resident reported frequently overhearing arguing coming from the apartment.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
For creator Lee Sung Jin, the inspiration came from overhearing a heated dispute inside a couple’s home.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The only real threat is a whistleblower, like an outcast kid overhearing the whole criminal scheme from the floor below his mother’s office.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
Haley began making the octopi after overhearing a nurse saying some would be helpful in the NICU.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The internal monologue is perhaps the more obvious choice for paranoid fiction, but by writing in dialogue, Dorfman puts us in the place of the listener with an ear pressed to a closed door, overhearing the anxious voices.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Dogs also learned new object names by overhearing them.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 25 Jan. 2026
Hyman remembers overhearing a conversation between Stecher and then-Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey as the trade deadline approached.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Another resident reported frequently overhearing arguing coming from the apartment.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
For creator Lee Sung Jin, the inspiration came from overhearing a heated dispute inside a couple’s home.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The only real threat is a whistleblower, like an outcast kid overhearing the whole criminal scheme from the floor below his mother’s office.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
Haley began making the octopi after overhearing a nurse saying some would be helpful in the NICU.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The internal monologue is perhaps the more obvious choice for paranoid fiction, but by writing in dialogue, Dorfman puts us in the place of the listener with an ear pressed to a closed door, overhearing the anxious voices.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Dogs also learned new object names by overhearing them.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 25 Jan. 2026
Hyman remembers overhearing a conversation between Stecher and then-Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey as the trade deadline approached.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhearing
Verb
-
What’s clear in hearing Tuch talk is that the decision isn’t going to be solely about money.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The 911 caller also reported hearing gunshots, leading to a large police response out of caution.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
But as examples like those above illustrate, there’s little reason for companies to resort to outright spying like this, because users simply can’t wait to divulge the most intimate details of their minds and bodies voluntarily.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
14 May 2026
-
Everything about this, particularly the spying part, seems positivily Hitchcockian.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The development comes as global health officials continue monitoring the rare hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius, which has sickened multiple passengers.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Five years from now, monitoring your brain health passively and continuously will seem as normal as tracking your heart rate.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Besides the risk of Oracle snooping into your business, there’s also the possibility of regulatory capture — that is, because Ellison is so tight with the Trumps, what remains of the government watchdogs won’t stop it.—
Elizabeth Lopatto,
The Verge,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This leads to a lively scene where Carl and his glowering right-hand man make an impromptu visit to Hypergnosis headquarters and demand a demonstration of Duncan’s snooping network.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overhearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhearing. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
