OVERLOOK Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

overlook 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlu̇k

Definition of overlook next

as in to dominate

to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

as in to supervise

to be in charge of you'll be asked to overlook larger projects in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

bless

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

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

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

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

Voice acting is often overlooked, and the whole ‘Ibelin’ cast did an incredible job for this film. —

Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 The decision also reflects Trump’s willingness to overlook his supporters’ most controversial statements. —

Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

Noun

Try Pearl Beach or Sunset Beach for unobstructed western-horizon overlooks. —

Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2024 Corbet recalled shooting the scene where Van Buren leads a group of party guests outside to a hillside overlook that would become the location for his institute and delivers a long speech that is somehow both self-pitying and self-aggrandizing. —

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overlook

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook

Verb

He doesn’t seem driven by demons or a need to dominate anyone.

— Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025
The Oilers absolutely dominated the first half of this one.

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025