rubbernecked

verb

past tense of rubberneck
as in stared
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise thoughtless drivers pausing on the highway to rubberneck at the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbernecked
  1. stared
  2. gawked
  3. gazed
Verb
  • As Draper sat at the side of the court for the change of ends and stared at the floor, tears began to flow.
    — The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Rebecca’s hands stilled, and the girl stared at her grandmother, wide-eyed.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stared
Verb
  • Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about — and gawked about — in the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
    — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • By Thursday morning, only the awning was still standing amid the rubble, as passersby gawked and cars slowed down to survey what had happened.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
Definition of gawked
Verb
  • Kikuko rolled over on her side and gazed up at the sky, which had suddenly become blanketed in thunder clouds.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In another photo, the actress leaned into the camera and gazed off into the water.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 24 July 2026
Definition of gazed
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.

Browse Nearby Words

rubberneck
rubbernecked
rubbernecker
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Cite this Entry

“Rubbernecked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbernecked. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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