overlook 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlu̇k How to pronounce overlook (audio)
Definition of overlooknext
1
as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to ignore
to fail to give proper attention to you've overlooked your chores again this week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to supervise
to be in charge of you'll be asked to overlook larger projects in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to possess
to cast a spell on the superstitious grandmother actually believed that the baby had been overlooked by a gypsy woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to examine
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) quickly overlooked the table of used books to see if there was anything of value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to forgive
to dismiss as of little importance definitely not the kind of spouse to overlook even a single instance of marital infidelity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about the engineer hired to overlook the construction of the canal

Synonyms & Similar Words

overlook

2 of 2

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌlu̇k How to pronounce overlook (audio)
as in lookout
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible just down the road there's a great overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word overlook distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of overlook are disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would disregard be a good substitute for overlook?

While in some cases nearly identical to overlook, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When is it sensible to use forget instead of overlook?

While the synonyms forget and overlook are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Where would ignore be a reasonable alternative to overlook?

The words ignore and overlook can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than overlook?

The words neglect and overlook are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When can slight be used instead of overlook?

In some situations, the words slight and overlook are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 overlook
Verb
During the Great Depression, Warners Bros. jumped into politics with movies that spoke to the average American in ways other studios overlooked. —Chris Yogerst / Made By History, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025 Plans called for a 32-seat bar, two mezzanine spaces overlooking the lower level. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
The ride that Petersen had chosen was short: a series of switchbacks, climbing to an overlook, and then a long, voluptuous descent. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024 The public would have access to the overlook but not to the lake from Regalia, a Mattamy Homes representative told the commissioners Monday night. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
  1. dominate
  2. ignore
  3. supervise
  4. possess
  5. examine
  6. forgive
  7. manage
  8. lookout
Verb
  • Honestly, Nevermind dominated in 2022 with 204,000 units.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Sunday spotlight Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have been dominating the headlines in the first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s new administration — at times overshadowing the president himself.
    — Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • But in the 1990s, when social practice art was gaining traction within European museums (especially in the United Kingdom), most Latin American institutions were ignoring that development, which remained limited to underground networks.
    — Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • And no, not because Disney is ignoring him or passing him over.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • The Trump administration has denied in court papers that intends to abolish the agency completely, arguing that some of its functions are continuing, but Reuters on Monday reported top officials at the consumer agency have not allowed staff to resume supervising financial companies.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • General billed Medicare and other government insurers for surgeries performed by Harvard medical trainees without proper oversight because supervising surgeons were working in another operating room.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Lori had Chad evaluate her children's spirits to determine if they were possessed by demons.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • For example, college degrees can indicate that candidates possess valuable skills like the ability to succeed in unstructured environments or present coherent arguments.
    — Ishan Gupta, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of possess
Verb
  • According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by NJ.com, troopers performing a load securement check asked to examine how the tractor-trailer’s doors were sealed.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Breast biopsy: Your provider may take a tissue sample to examine the cells under a microscope.
    — Carrie Madormo, RN, Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of examine
Verb
  • According to data from Statista, the average amount of student debt forgiven by the PSLF program was $63,826 per borrower.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than setting yourself up for more hurt feelings, do your best to forgive your parents for their favoritism and live your life.
    — Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Most of Apple’s choices in the 16e seem to serve the goal of unifying the whole iPhone lineup to simplify the message for consumers and make things easier for Apple to manage efficiently, but the dropping of MagSafe is bizarre.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Netanyahu, for his part, managed to survive beyond both of those presidencies and is still very much on the political scene today.
    — Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • Fourth District Judge Nancy Baskin sentenced the 27-year-old Watkins — who served as the lookout and said he wasn’t affiliated with the gang — to three months in the Ada County Jail, opposing a request by the prosecution for years of additional incarceration.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Officers with the Fort Worth Police Department’s K9 and Directed Response units stopped two vehicles allegedly being used as lookouts and arrested four more suspects, according to the statement.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of lookout

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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