Synonyms of overhear

overhear

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈhir 

as in to hear

to listen to (another in private conversation)

it's not polite to try to overhear intimate friends sharing confidences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hear
• monitor
• spy
• listen in (on)
• eavesdrop (on)
• attend
• snoop
• tap
• bug
• wiretap
• hearken
• heed
• surveil
• mind

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overhear

Police said the school went into lockdown after officers saw students running down hallways and received reports that someone overheard a comment about a gun. — Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Digging a bit deeper, the study determined that while 57% of respondents would be creeped out by someone shoulder-surfing their screens, only 43% had a similar worry about people overhearing phone conversations. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

The actors speak quietly, as if fearful of being overheard, whether or not there is anyone around to hear, and often regard one another with pained or stunned expressions. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

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