overhear
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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In towns near camps in western Massachusetts, it’s not uncommon to overhear conversations about prep school wait lists and tennis programs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Further along the footpath around the old dock, I overhear an American accent.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2025
I regularly overhear other birders marveling over the flashy warblers in breeding plumage, while overlooking other comparatively less-flashy birds like vireos and sparrows.
From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2025
Over the dull roar of passing vehicles, I would overhear fearful whispers in Mandarin about her health and medical care, which always shifted to Taiyu when I was around.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2024
“And what did this prophecy say? Did you happen to overhear that?”
From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman
Nearby, 40-year-old Masoumeh overhears our conversation and joins in.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
“It must be exhausting to have so many strong opinions,” he theorizes as he overhears an argument about something unimportant near the novel’s beginning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2023
When she overhears a man clearing his throat, the jig is up.
From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2023
All seems idyllic — until the day Beth, approaching her husband and brother-in-law in a store, overhears Don saying that he doesn’t like her new novel at all, but he can’t tell her.
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2023
On Wednesday, when I get to the bus stop, the kids are talking about a Hideout game night—in low voices, so nobody else overhears.
From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks
The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
She only learned about the reintroduction plan after asking rangers about discussions she had overheard.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
This overheard comment, plus a confluence of socially embarrassing events at the Meryton ball later, push Mary to the point of breakdown.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
She saw that he was receiving additional images and maps from others through texts and Discord messages, and overheard him talking on the phone, according to court filings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
He’s surprised, because he doesn’t know I overheard him complaining that time.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Jason Bateman was hearing from pals too, reporting the conversations they were overhearing at restaurants and bars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
The court heard that Morgan had been deemed a "high risk to others and to himself" after overhearing conversations that took place since he has been in custody.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026
“After overhearing a passionate ideological dispute around her own kitchen table between the future Nobel laureate for literature and his radical friends from the University of Chicago, she muttered: ‘Smart, smart, smart.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025
“Kids are often being exposed to these topics anyway, through their peers, the media and overhearing conversations,” said Wenner Moyer.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2024
By overhearing the guards and prisoners talking, Zeitoun realized the prison had been given at least two nicknames by the guards and soldiers.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
