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
Still, the team seems high enough on George that he shouldn’t be overlooked. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025 He was overlooked by many as the premium to buy for Gameweek 1 in favour of Erling Haaland, but early backers were richly rewarded, especially for those who consistently captained him. —Holly Shand, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Noun
For those looking to keep their feet on solid ground, there are several rim hikes offering scenic overlooks. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025 Guides from Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures drive guests on an open-air truck through a bamboo grove to a scenic overlook of the 5,148-foot-tall Mount Wai‘ale‘ale volcano, before reaching the canals. —Rachel Ng, AFAR Media, 7 May 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
  • Silver did admit, however, that the ratings discussion that often dominates the conversation is an irritant for him.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • However, as Ventura and others have stated, that shifted over time and the accused appeared to employ old school pimp tactics to control and totally dominated the woman.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The economics are simply too compelling for businesses to ignore: A single AI system can process the workload of dozens of employees at a fraction of the usual labor cost.
    — Adam Bowen, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • There’s similar apprehension about the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal that’s meant to supervise judges in office.
    — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • Gray supervised a special housing unit at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, prosecutors said.
    — Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • The countries each possess about 170 nuclear weapons, according to the think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • In addition to their easily identifiable personas, these faces must possess genuine leadership qualities and backgrounds to guide the movement in the right direction.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of possess
Verb
  • The researchers also examined more than 2,700 genomes of modern plague samples from Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • The researchers examined data from the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network between 2004 and 2022.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025
Definition of examine
Verb
  • After the season Manchester United has endured, the club’s fans could be forgiven for wanting the campaign to end.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • In addition to managing the university’s rapid growth, Pullin will need to attract donors to help foot the bill.
    — Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
  • Indiana’s stars struggled mightily in Game 5, with Tyrese Haliburton, the series MVP up until this point, managing just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • According to Devlin’s report, Shoemaker-Gonzalez stole the man’s Toyota RAV4 and headed toward Bristol where police were told to be on the lookout around 12:20 p.m. for a vehicle taken during a carjacking involving a suspect armed with a knife.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
  • At the end, stop with the family to enjoy a lookout point with a beautiful view of San Elijo Lagoon.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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