Definition of overhearnext
as in to hear
to listen to (another in private conversation) it's not polite to try to overhear intimate friends sharing confidences

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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 overhear Police interviewed other witnesses, including a neighbor, who overheard the beating. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 June 2026 The two were walking around the Hotel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France, when the conversation was overheard by astute observers. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026 When someone was picking on Ollie recently, Dreyer was proud to overhear Calvin offering big brotherly defense. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 24 June 2026 As a bald eagle named Indy occasionally screeched at an offending hawk that flew overheard, speakers talked about the time capsule as a message to future generations about Americans’ hopes, values and lives in 2025. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overhear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhear
Verb
  • Imagine the outrage if Smith heard someone question how far an NFL team could go with a Black quarterback, Black head coach and Black general manager.
    Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Commissioners also changed the sound levels from 55 decibels to 65 DBA, a measurement used to measure sound at how humans hear the noise.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • Additionally, the Republican Party is deploying poll watchers to monitor elections in at least 17 states this year.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • At least 60 Israelis have been indicted on charges of spying for Iran, but this appears to be the first time an American has been detained in Israel on similar suspicions.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhear. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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