as in tourist
a person who travels for pleasure
every year raucous rubbernecks by the busload descend upon the city for its famed Mardi Gras
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to gawk
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise
thoughtless drivers pausing on the highway to rubberneck at the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rubberneck
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025
Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane.
—Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 29 Dec. 2025
This is like a car crash that people rubberneck to get a look.
—Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
Noun
Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025
Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane.
—Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
Verb
The other factor related to true-crime podcast popularity is that attraction to disaster and misfortune – like rubbernecking at the scene of a serious auto accident.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 29 Dec. 2025
This is like a car crash that people rubberneck to get a look.
—Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubberneck
Noun
-
They’re headed to a major global tourist destination — a city with beautiful beaches and balmy weather — for the school’s spring break.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Residential areas are closed off to tourists, and DUI checkpoints and security checkpoints have been set up at beach entrances.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What to see today Walk or drive to gawk at the 20th-century gems like the Miller House and Garden, which blends history, nature and modern aesthetics.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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Luckily for me, the Brentwood class wasn’t too packed, so there weren’t too many fellow exercisers there to gawk at my unorthodox choice of attire.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While Ho’s experience with AI has been positive, the reliability of AI continues to be a concern for many travelers.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Solo travelers booking the latter will be happy to note that the smaller cabins are designed just as thoughtfully, using the same design language—and are spacious for one person.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Balat stared ahead at the defense table.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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But viewers might not have to fill those three minutes staring at Lionel Messi downing a Gatorade.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the real luxury is the intimacy and hands-on attention guests receive, from sitting by the fire and gazing out at the glaciers to shredding powder in the alpine.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
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Make your way to the opposite side of the country, to the southern town of Muzinë, to gaze into the Blue Eye, a natural spring boasting some of the bluest water in the world.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubberneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubberneck. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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