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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.

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

She told the BBC she would overhear Alphonsine helping her with her language skills.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

Sometimes because both my parents and Lucia’s parents have come during shooting to help because we have a new kid, sometimes they’ll overhear something and be like, “That’s funny.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2024

It was popular in competitive office environments — among, for example, salesmen who didn’t want the other fellas to overhear their leads.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

“You should have been an actor,” she whispers to him when she is certain no one will overhear.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

overhear

Example Sentences

Related Words