overlook 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlu̇k How to pronounce overlook (audio)
Definition of overlooknext
1
as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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
3
as in to supervise
to be in charge of you'll be asked to overlook larger projects in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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 How to pronounce overlook (audio)
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
Set on a hilltop overlooking Ornos Bay (safely away from Mykonos town), the hotel’s 27 luxe accommodations are spread across five acres of a lush hillside. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025 This leads to some animals being overlooked, but determined not to let that happen to her, one kitten made a plan. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Noun
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is a fantastic way to take in mountain views, enjoy the winding roads, and stop at overlooks and trails along the way. —Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025 Drive the two-mile Firehole Canyon Drive off of the Grand Loop, which cruises along the Firehole River to an overlook of Firehole Falls, before hitting the parking area for Firehole Canyon. 5. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
  1. dominate
  2. ignore
  3. supervise
  4. possess
  5. examine
  6. forgive
  7. manage
  8. lookout
Verb
  • What a confusing year for these Fever, from Clark’s three different soft tissue injuries to DeWanna Bonner’s troubled stint to … dominating the Commissioner’s Cup final, against the Minnesota Lynx no less?
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • While banks dominate credit provision in Asia far more than in Western markets — accounting for about 79% of lending compared with 54% in Europe and just 33% in the U.S., according to investment firm KKR — that dynamic is shifting.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Having said that, beachgoers have already been ignoring signs and fencing to get to the beach, especially on weekends.
    — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Dogs should be supervised when chewing on a bone, and larger breeds should get large ones to prevent swallowing; there are also plenty of chew toys that have a similar texture to bones, which could be a good alternative.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • But for now, corrections employees are supervising a rising number of prisoners.
    — Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Marvel at Nocturnal Birdlife Across the United Kingdom The United Kingdom may not possess the towering megafauna found across Asia and Africa, but according to Adventure Tours UK Co-Founder Claire Copeman, there’s plenty of captivating wildlife to encounter across Great Britain during the night.
    — Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Newton possessed the speed to beat defenders, but had the strength of a fullback.
    — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of possess
Verb
  • Their main goal was to examine an area of the river where a magnet fisherman had found an anchor.
    — Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • This study examines the ratio of the income floor for the top 20% of earners to the income ceiling for the bottom 20% of earners.
    — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of examine
Verb
  • May Allah Almighty forgive your shortcomings and grant you the highest ranks of Jannah.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • But those scenes tend to be very funny, and funny forgives a lot.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Discuss your risk factors and ways to manage risk with your healthcare provider. 3.
    — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
  • While Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has never managed to break into this category, Hulu's Housewives-esque docusoap — which follows a group of very messy Mormon wives and mothers — earned a nomination after only being on for two seasons.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • In addition, the DNR operates webcams showing the Mississippi River Headwaters at Itasca State Park and a view of Upper Red Lake from atop the 100-foot lookout tower at Big Bog State Recreation Area in Waskish, Minn., to name just a couple.
    — Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
  • As a result, the layered and non-identical overlapping corridors and lookout points celebrate these jungle giants.
    — Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of lookout

Browse Nearby Words

overlong
overlook
overlooked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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