oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē How to pronounce oversee (audio)
oversaw ˌō-vər-ˈsȯ How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseeing
Synonyms of oversee

transitive verb

1
: survey, watch
From his hilltop home he can oversee the river below.
2
a
: inspect, examine
oversees all new machinery
b
: to watch over and direct (an undertaking, a group of workers, etc.) in order to ensure a satisfactory outcome or performance : supervise
was hired to oversee the design and construction of the new library
oversaw 20 employees

Synonyms of oversee

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Examples of oversee in a Sentence

He was hired to oversee design and construction of the new facility. will oversee the new manufacturing division
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The actors first appeared together in 2001 movie Ocean’s 11, in which Clooney’s Danny oversees a group of thieves during an ambitious heist. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 Since achieving widespread fame in 2013, Rettig has overseen gatherings that have introduced thousands of novices to toad smoking. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026 The Clippers and their personnel will be subject to a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office for five years, according to the NBA. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 In April, the Third Circuit found that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has the exclusive right to oversee the prediction market sector in a case brought by Kalshi against New Jersey. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oversee

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oversee was before the 12th century

Rhymes for oversee

See All Rhymes for oversee

Browse Nearby Words

oversecretion
oversee
overseed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oversee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversee. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oversee

verb
over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē How to pronounce oversee (audio)
oversaw -ˈsȯ How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseen -ˈsēn How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseeing
1
: to look down upon : survey
2
a
: to look over : examine
b
: superintend, supervise
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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