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
Nutrition and chronic disease prevention cannot be overlooked either. —Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026 Stopping to sit on a wooden bench overlooking the water, Mary Oliver once again pops into mind. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality. —Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026 The overlook remains true to the Big Bang’s roots, but sizing now comes in 43 mm—which sits in the middle of the previous 41 mm and 44 mm sizing. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2026 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
  • The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
  • It’s speculated that a runaway greenhouse effect took place on Venus long ago, leading to its dense, thick, hot atmosphere, dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
    — Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Caring for a betta can help kids learn responsibility, routine, and empathy when adults guide and supervise the process.
    — Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
  • These workers keep companies running smoothly, often supervising multiple teams, the report says.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • According to Deadline, Charli will be possessed by a violent, tortured spirit in director Takashi Miike’s upcoming untitled slasher-horror film that is scheduled to start filming in Japan next month; the role was previously reported, but the details about the plot are new.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Between lunch and dinner, something possessed Ben to feel bad about being too harsh on his sous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of possess
Verb
  • Prescott said the employer portions of the bill were examined by the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association to protect employers who follow proper hiring procedures but also hold employers accountable who are knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants.
    — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • One of the more striking findings came from examining individual brain regions.
    — Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of examine
Verb
  • Part of this is internal, forgiving any part of yourself that feels bad for holding on to the hurt and comforting the younger version of yourself that is still alive inside you and vividly feeling that hurt.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Englander still hasn’t forgiven Lappe for eliminating him and Sherman Oaks Little League in the 2023 regional playoffs.
    — Eric Sondheimer Columnist Follow, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • So now, a team that has defeated conference leaders such as Oklahoma City, Denver, Detroit and New York, also has managed to fall to the lottery likes of Utah, Indiana and Sacramento, with the 15-40 Pelicans up next.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Interestingly, and likely due to the fact that all six episodes were released at once, Steal even managed to make Luminate’s Top 50 list just based on its first two days of viewing.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of manage
Noun
  • But in recent years, the once-sleepy Australian lookout has found itself at the center of a global social media storm.
    — Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, White and Mordon placed Register in one of their two rental cars with Aristil and Tillman acting as lookouts.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of lookout

Browse Nearby Words

overlong
overlook
overlooked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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