onlookers

plural of onlooker
as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something several onlookers gave chase after the thief grabbed the woman's purse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Examples 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 onlookers As those onlookers in the Egyptian gallery at the Met suggest, blind visitors won’t be the only ones who will enjoy interacting with the many 3D models. M. Leona Godin, AFAR Media, 3 Jan. 2025 As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025 Video recorded by onlookers and uploaded to social media showed a huge police presence on Bourbon and Canal streets. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 1 Jan. 2025 The New Year's Eve celebration has grown to include a long roster of musical performances and corporate sponsorships, with onlookers returning to the streets in growing numbers after the COVID-19 pandemic forced it online in 2020. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024 Video from Friday shows massive waves rolling over sailboats, swallowing jet skis and crashing into the coast as onlookers scramble away from the rushing water. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024 Several onlookers, including at least one NYPD officer, did not try to put out the fire, video shows. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024 Civil rights complaint Months after the film’s release, onlookers gained new insight into the situation onset that appeared to cause so much tension during the media tour. Doha Madani, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024 The National Park Service said in a statement that the toddler wandered off from his family at the Kilauea Overlook and snuck past the barrier blocking onlookers from the volcano before running toward the 400-foot cliff edge. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onlookers
Noun
  • Fans and drama spectators alike pointed out during the film’s messy promotional cycle that Slate, actor Brandon Sklenar, and author Colleen Hoover unfollowed Baldoni on social media before the film’s premiere.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Santos’ 6-2 victory was in front of more than 25,000 spectators.
    Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • While inaugural donations by companies are nothing new, observers suggest the cash, coupled with meetings at Mar-a-Lago, signal several leading technology businesses are trying to improve their standing with the president-elect.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Within Iran, however, officials and observers appear divided.
    Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Netflix is planning on giving plenty of gifts to its viewers on Christmas Day – as long as everything goes to plan.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
  • According to a release from Netflix about the games and their music performances, the streaming service said viewers will be able to view Beyoncé through their Netflix account.
    Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near onlookers

Cite this Entry

“Onlookers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onlookers. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on onlookers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!