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Definitions

overhear

[oh-ver-heer] / ˌoʊ vərˈhɪər /
VERB
bug
Synonyms
STRONGEST
wiretap
STRONG
eavesdrop spy tap
WEAK
listen in
VERB
eavesdrop
Synonyms
STRONGEST
listen in snoop
STRONG
bug monitor pry spy tap wire wiretap
WEAK
be all ears bend an ear ears into tune in on
Antonyms
WEAK
ignore
VERB
hear
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attend get listen pick up read
STRONG
apprehend auscultate catch descry devour eavesdrop hark hearken heed strain
WEAK
be all ears become aware get an earful get wind of give an audience to give attention give ears make out take in
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore lose misunderstand
VERB
hearken
Synonyms
STRONG
apprehend attend auscultate catch descry devour eavesdrop get give hark heed listen read strain take
WEAK
be all ears become aware get an earful get wind of give an audience to give attention give ears make out pick up
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain be immune calm disregard fail hold ignore keep lose miss misunderstand neglect soothe
VERB
listen
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept admit attend get observe take notice tune in
STRONG
adopt audit auscultate catch concentrate eavesdrop entertain hark harken hearken mind monitor obey receive welcome
WEAK
auscult be all ears be attentive get a load of give an audience to give attention give heed to hang on words hear out hear tell lend an ear pick up on prick up ears take advice take into consideration take under advisement tune in on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny dispute ignore miss refuse reject
STRONG
disobey disregard forget neglect turn away
WEAK
speak talk

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.

You can talk to it, let it overhear your day and—in the case of glasses—let it see what you’re seeing in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

One can opt to be a relatively passive observer trying to overhear conversations and uncover the various storylines.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

Sometimes I just watch, trying to melt into a crowd, to overhear conversations, to spot glances and gestures and to see who leads and who follows.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 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

"I couldn’t help but overhear," Stacy continued as she sat down with the three friends at the lunch table.

From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene