Meaning & use

overlooking

verb·Academic

Having a view over something from a higher or nearby position.

See it in a sentence

Their hotel room had a balcony overlooking the harbor and the old town.

By overlooking his first mistake, she gave him a chance to improve.

A note on using this word

Overlooking has two very different senses: physically having a view over something, and failing to notice or choosing to ignore a fault.

Words with a similar meaning

facingsurveying

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

Failing to notice something, or choosing not to react to a fault or offense.

The manager kept overlooking the same error in every report she reviewed.

Make it your own

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