Thesaurus results for OVERHEARD

overheard

verb

past tense of overhear

as in heard

to listen to (another in private conversation) it's not polite to try to overhear intimate friends sharing confidences

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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 overheard Amabile’s wife, Serena Pitt, can be overheard asking him as another staple is clipped out and placed into a plastic container. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 While checking into his hotel in Paris three years ago, Lucas overheard a pair of rugby fans from South Africa talking about their monthlong stay in France for the tournament. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026 The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Jackson said California's law about confidential communication doesn't apply when there is a reasonable expectation that a conversation could be overheard or recorded. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 One of the first people to join his congregation was Gayana Albayan, who had learned about God through inference and overheard prayer. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Burial is far and away the blueprint here, evident in the vespertine pads, tape hiss, and hauntological vocal flips, deployed as if overheard from a distant astral plane. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Elsewhere during the event, Harry was overheard providing a few family updates to guests. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 17 July 2026 Degorski had told an ex-girlfriend of his role in the killings, and a friend who overheard her talking about it in 2002 went to the police. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overheard

Verb

Of course, the song won’t be heard exclusively in Orange County CD players for long.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Responding officers heard screams coming from inside the home and ran into the basement.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of heard

Verb

Next, astronomers spied several exoplanets that are gas giants like Jupiter—but in orbits so tight that these worlds practically skim the surfaces of their stars.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Definition of spied

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overheard

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“Overheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overheard. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overheard

verb

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