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
Meanwhile, without new evidence, some onlookers have formed their own versions of the story.
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Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
In the eight decades since, interested onlookers have felt compelled to keep looking.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
The annual ceremony brings together school groups, Capitol staffers and onlookers to watch the countdown.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
And there’s Teeny doing a mocking sarcasm clap, which is my second favorite type of clap, after an inspirational movie slow clap that starts as a solitary person in a crowd and then spreads like wildfire into a full assault of applause by a large grip of onlookers.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
An Overlook Hotel elevator's worth of blood drenches terrified onlookers like a firehose as the creature devolves into a sentient heap of guts and viscera.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
The photograph, which features young men floating in a spring, invites onlookers to get a glimpse of areas outside of Miami and consider the state's natural elements.
—Sommer Brugal, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024
Even onlookers walking by were swept up in the moment.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
But then the passenger slugs the worker with a vicious left hook, knocking the helpless worker backwards and shocking onlookers.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
In the eight decades since, interested onlookers have felt compelled to keep looking.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
The annual ceremony brings together school groups, Capitol staffers and onlookers to watch the countdown.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
And there’s Teeny doing a mocking sarcasm clap, which is my second favorite type of clap, after an inspirational movie slow clap that starts as a solitary person in a crowd and then spreads like wildfire into a full assault of applause by a large grip of onlookers.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
An Overlook Hotel elevator's worth of blood drenches terrified onlookers like a firehose as the creature devolves into a sentient heap of guts and viscera.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
The photograph, which features young men floating in a spring, invites onlookers to get a glimpse of areas outside of Miami and consider the state's natural elements.
—Sommer Brugal, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024
Even onlookers walking by were swept up in the moment.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
But then the passenger slugs the worker with a vicious left hook, knocking the helpless worker backwards and shocking onlookers.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
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This year spectators will have to contend with a nearly full, bright waxing gibbous moon, which may spoil the best views of the meteors by outshining them, per experts.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
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Today’s consumers are more than spectators—they’re active participants, shaping brand narratives in real time.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Moments after Mangione's identity was revealed by law enforcement, observers flooded his social media accounts to learn more about the suspect and potential reasons for the killing.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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But observers are still waiting for the announcement of specific policies, particularly any measures to significantly bolster consumption.Peter Catterall, Fortune Asia, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Watch time on TV for sports content was up 30 percent year over year; viewers watched more than 400 million hours of podcasts on their TVs every month.David Pierce, The Verge, 11 Dec. 2024
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And luckily, viewers at home can get in on the fun.The View, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near onlookers
Cite this Entry
“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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