as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
several onlookers gave chase after the thief grabbed the woman's purse
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 onlookers
On Thursday afternoon, onlookers couldn’t glean any information about this weekend’s festivities.
—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
2 July 2026
The stunt stunned onlookers and required police to shut down the streets surrounding the area.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Cellphone videos recorded by onlookers captured the confusion at the scene as the pair stood near the building’s needle.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
1 July 2026
Traffic was stopped along Fifth Avenue and 56th street as onlookers gathered.
—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Moments later, rescue workers pulled the toddler from the rubble and wrapped him in a blanket as onlookers cheered.
—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The victory for Robert’s club came in front of a sellout crowd of 12,934 loaded with Dodgers fans who did well to replicate Chavez Ravine — and made onlookers search to find fans in green and gold.
—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Unlike some other luggage tags, this option only displays your name, keeping the rest of your information shielded from curious onlookers and potential thieves.
—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
2 July 2026
The stunt stunned onlookers and required police to shut down the streets surrounding the area.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Cellphone videos recorded by onlookers captured the confusion at the scene as the pair stood near the building’s needle.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
1 July 2026
Traffic was stopped along Fifth Avenue and 56th street as onlookers gathered.
—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Moments later, rescue workers pulled the toddler from the rubble and wrapped him in a blanket as onlookers cheered.
—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The victory for Robert’s club came in front of a sellout crowd of 12,934 loaded with Dodgers fans who did well to replicate Chavez Ravine — and made onlookers search to find fans in green and gold.
—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Unlike some other luggage tags, this option only displays your name, keeping the rest of your information shielded from curious onlookers and potential thieves.
—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
-
Whenever someone reaches the top of the 25-meter (82-feet) cliff — often for the first time — spectators, instructors and climbers break into applause.
-
But the nation’s summer has been an utter slog, lacking the identity and joy on the pitch that spectators have come to expect.
Noun
-
Sky observers say the Fourth of July is when the shortening of days becomes noticeably more rapid.
-
Diarists and observers, including hymn writer John Newton and militia officers, often treated the event as an omen reflecting the gravity of the Revolution.
Noun
-
Along with performances from artists spanning country, pop and R&B, viewers can experience a massive fireworks and drone show choreographed to a live score by the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony.
-
Now, viewers will get a glimpse at just what today’s computers can see.
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
