overhears

Definition of overhearsnext
present tense third-person singular of overhear
as in hears
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 overhears Just then, Daisy comes onto the bridge to offer the captain a cup of coffee and overhears Ben’s suggestion. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026 Rebekah overhears this plan and urges Jacob to disguise himself as Esau. Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026 Sophie overhears Anthony confront Benedict in the study, but Benedict puts up a solid argument that his brother, who has just returned from a trip to India with his wife Kate (Simone Ashley) and their son Edmund, hasn’t witnessed his planning and love for Sophie. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026 Lo overhears a scuffle in the cabin next door and a distinct splash in the freezing ocean waters. Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 But a nurse eventually overhears Archer and Hannah discussing it, and misunderstands the situation. Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025 Alas, Taylor overhears and freaks out because Steven hasn't mentioned it. Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025 In the movie, Manchester overhears conversations by the Toys R’ Us manager Mitch (Peter Dinklage) and an employee Leigh. Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025 In the book, Jackie admits her feelings to Cole, and Alex overhears the conversation. Julia Moore, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhears
Verb
  • Every hotel front desk in the world hears it, multiple times a day, in every language.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • Products without publishing means offers nobody hears about.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • In the 8-episode sci-fi adventure series premiering May 21, residents of a retirement community in New Mexico join forces after its newest occupant, widow Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), spies a monstrous creature.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 May 2026
  • When Claire and Frank retreat to Inverness on holiday following the end of WWII, Frank spies the spectre of a Highlander staring up into Claire's window that abruptly vanishes.
    Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The maritime authority that monitors shipping in the region, the UKMTO, had earlier said a vessel had been struck in the Persian Gulf, about 40 nautical miles southeast of the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
  • The series wasn’t directly based on a Rice book but centered on her in-universe secret society that monitors supernatural beings and whose representatives (like Justin Kirk’s Raglan James) have shown up in IWTV and The Mayfair Witches.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overhears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhears. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on overhears

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