overlook 1 of 2

1
as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
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
6
7

overlook

2 of 2

noun

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
Like its namesake, the winery will quietly protect ecosystems – genetic, cultural, and architectural – that are often overlooked. New Atlas, 16 May 2025 Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Noun
Trails vary in intensity, from the casual, quarter-mile nature overlooks to challenging treks that climb 1,000 feet in elevation. Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025 From the elevated overlook, visitors have an incredible view of a bare panorama that holds the remains of many extinct species dating back 5 million years. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
Verb
  • Rihanna’s ability to dominate the pop arena without compromising her Barbadian hertiage certainly served as a breakthrough for Caribbean artists.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Torrey Pines, which finished runner-up to CCA in the Open Division, and Canyon Crest have dominated the San Diego Section in recent years.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 24 May 2025
  • Despite California having the Public Records Act and existing case law that bolsters the public’s right to know, Olson said that bureaucrats in many public institutions ignore the case law.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.
    Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Today, Rotterdam possesses one of Europe’s most robust migrant populations.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The re-tasking of U.S. naval ships assigned to the western Pacific theater comes as China—now possessing the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—expands its military reach and presence in the region, attempting to challenge American naval dominance.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Auditors examined only 35 of the 139 no-bid contracts over a year and a half but noted that ongoing issues with SANDAG’s record-keeping software prevented them from verifying exactly how many no-bid contracts the agency has.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The other top challenge for companies is light, which includes examining the lights' color-rendering index and prioritizing low flickering and warm colors.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Barack Obama faced injunctions against Obamacare and Joe Biden's plan to forgive student loans was blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Perhaps because he was banished for the last 36 years of his life, Rose could be forgiven in death and honored with a plaque.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Russell tried to console Elissa and somehow managed to keep himself composed, holding up both of them through the disappointment.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • In 1914, thieves managed to dislodge one of the bronze children and carry it 150 feet before abandoning the 300-pound figure.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The extent to which the tarp roller was unusually dangerous and the extent to which a veteran like Ruf should have been on the lookout would be key topics in pretrial discovery.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025
  • Police in Saint Peter alerted the public to Edwards and his car, a 2004 silver Dodge Stratus, asking them to be on the lookout.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on overlook

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!