OVERLOOK Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

overlook 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlu̇k

Definition of overlook

as in to dominate

to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

as in to supervise

to be in charge of you'll be asked to overlook larger projects in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

bless

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

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

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

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

There’s also a lovely six-room day spa and wellness center, where the relaxation room with a balcony overlooking the Rockies is as blissful as the treatments themselves. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Birmingham denied that low-income residents were being overlooked and blamed posts on social media. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

Accommodations on the backside of the building boast unobstructed views of Monterey Bay, and the rest overlook bustling Cannery Row. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026 Carlo Zanella, president of the Alto Adige Alpine Club, previously told Fox News Digital that the turnstiles were installed by a local farmer after visitors repeatedly trampled meadows while flocking to the scenic overlook. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overlook

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook

Verb

Spooked investors have even sued Supermicro for securities fraud, fearing that the company’s sales may be dominated by such illicit sales.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
That machine is the Hyperliquid DeFi platform, which is dominating the perpetual futures trade and using its fee income to burn HYPE tokens.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

DeGravelles, who is based in Louisiana where Mohammed had been held, said harsher sanctions would be warranted if his orders continued to go ignored.

— CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Lúcia added the Maria da Penha law needed updating because violence against women in Brazil is also a matter of power and as many femicides take place out of women’s homes in situations that are reported to police but ignored.

— Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

Many camps do not allow staff to use or carry phones while supervising campers.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Ferndale school officials say high school students gained experience through drone filming crews, race-day event management and supervised flight projects.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

York, 46, was arrested by the East Palestine Police Department initially on misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution that was amended to disorderly conduct, and possessing criminal tools.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but the charges were reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, according to court records.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of possess

Verb

Pakistan’s government rejected the allegations over the weekend, saying Khan was examined by doctors from the private hospital and that he could not be taken to Shifa International for security reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday were examining the wreckage of a small plane that crashed in the ocean off Boca Raton a day earlier.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

The regime appears to have more pressing priorities – presenting the conflict with the United States as an existential struggle, managing the deep economic fall-out and reorganizing the security apparatus under the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
That was because his closest challenger, Lewis Hamilton, could only manage seventh in the sprint.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of manage

Browse Nearby Words

overlong

overlook

overlooked

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Style

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

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Synonyms of overlook

verb

noun

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Synonyms of overlook

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to overlook

An Overview of the Contronym 'Overlook'

Cite this Entry

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Popular in Wordplay

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