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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Examples 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 Prosecutors write that an argument can be overheard occurring in the car and the footage shows the car pulling out with the three men inside of it. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024 Working together on the DreamWorks Animation series Dawn of the Croods in 2014, seven of us discovered each other’s love of music via band T-shirts and overheard Spotify choices. Brendan Hay, SPIN, 10 Dec. 2024 The state ferry Hubbard overheard the Coast Guard's urgent marine information broadcast and was the first to reach the scene. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 Tell us about experiences that capture the city’s spirit and heart — an anecdote, memory, quirky encounter or overheard snippet of conversation that has stuck with you or only just happened. New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overhear 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhear
Verb
  • Eight months later, when Cox heard Lombardi called the FBI, Lombardi said, Cox canceled his contract.
    Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The National Guard was on the corners, health workers handed out face masks, churches heard prayers, and pickups hauled burned things that might be salvaged.
    Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • If verified, the dispatcher can send out a legal observer to monitor the situation, as well as an attorney to provide legal assistance.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Its ability to monitor across multiple platforms ensures comprehensive defense against scams and identity theft.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Andy Spence is the current interim coach of the side, having taken over after Bev Priestman was handed a one-year suspension from football by FIFA for her role in the spying scandal ahead of their Paris Olympics campaign last year.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • On January 1, G4 levels were detected, resulting in the aurora being spied as far south as Arizona, Colorado and Mexico.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near overhear

Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhear. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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