as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
several onlookers gave chase after the thief grabbed the woman's purse
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Recent Examples of onlookers
Someone had stashed a film camera in an apartment high above the plaza, capturing a scene of rowdy onlookers feasting on sausage sandwiches and uncorking bottles of wine as—after a series of delays—the blade dropped on Weidmann’s nape.
—
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The speech earned a standing ovation from onlookers.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Each rendezvous, complete with soap opera–worthy drama—hoarding, cheeky teasing, Alex Honnold–worthy climbing, slow-mo acrobatics, and aggression that made gathered onlookers gasp—further cemented our similarities as species.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Those arrivals joined on five- or six-year contracts, meaning Liverpool signed up to long-term costs which aren’t always thought of by onlookers in the here and now of a transfer window.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Troublemakers blocked the street corner at Alondra Boulevard and Figueroa Street, where drivers did donuts at high rates of speed with onlookers standing dangerously close by.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
In the footage, a line of SFPD officers appears to separate onlookers from the federal agents as Lopez-Jimenez is handcuffed and detained.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, police cordoned off the beach area with construction fences to keep a large crowd of onlookers at bay.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike in the Bay Area, where his every struggle and success was dissected by onlookers local and abroad, the stakes are different in Atlanta.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The speech earned a standing ovation from onlookers.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Each rendezvous, complete with soap opera–worthy drama—hoarding, cheeky teasing, Alex Honnold–worthy climbing, slow-mo acrobatics, and aggression that made gathered onlookers gasp—further cemented our similarities as species.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Those arrivals joined on five- or six-year contracts, meaning Liverpool signed up to long-term costs which aren’t always thought of by onlookers in the here and now of a transfer window.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Troublemakers blocked the street corner at Alondra Boulevard and Figueroa Street, where drivers did donuts at high rates of speed with onlookers standing dangerously close by.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
In the footage, a line of SFPD officers appears to separate onlookers from the federal agents as Lopez-Jimenez is handcuffed and detained.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, police cordoned off the beach area with construction fences to keep a large crowd of onlookers at bay.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Unlike in the Bay Area, where his every struggle and success was dissected by onlookers local and abroad, the stakes are different in Atlanta.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
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The facility will also include viewing areas for spectators to accommodate organized events and community programming.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Stars made sacrificial effort plays that could convince most spectators this was a playoff showdown — Jamal Murray diving into the second row to save a loose ball, Aaron Gordon developing a limp then playing through it to guard De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama on game-deciding possessions.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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It has been widely expected since Lam’s reelection as Communist Party head in January, when observers noted that his consolidation of party authority positioned him to assume the presidency as well.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dube isn’t as panicked about its impact on wages and employment as many other observers are.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The signage lets viewers know it is made from silk chiffon and embroidered with bugle beads.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
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Therefore, viewers will see vitality, enthusiasm, passion for life, hope … something uplifting and useful.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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