oversee

[ oh-ver-see ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈsi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oversee ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), o·ver·saw, o·ver·seen, o·ver·see·ing.

to direct (work or workers); supervise; manage: He was hired to oversee the construction crews.

to see or observe secretly or unintentionally: We happened to oversee the burglar leaving the premises. He was overseen stealing the letters.

to survey or watch, as from a higher position.

to look over; examine; inspect.

Nearby words

overscrupulous, oversea, overseas, overseas cap, overseas telegram, oversee, overseer, oversell, oversensitive, overset, oversew

Origin of oversee

before 900; Middle English overseen, Old English ofersēon. See over-, see¹

Can be confused

overlook oversee oversight

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oversaw

Two years ago in Michigan, she oversaw AFP operations to help the Republican-controlled legislature pass sweeping anti-union laws.
The Next Phase of the Koch Brothers’ War on Unions|Carl Deal and Tia Lessin|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Umberto, who went by Albert, oversaw mob killings during his reign in the mid-1900s.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard|Nina Strochlic|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Filed away within the annals of the New York Historical Society, it escaped the notice of those who oversaw the archives.
New York’s Century-Old Time Capsule Is a Dud|Justin Jones|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He oversaw a brutal regime, aimed at instilling respect, deference and acceptance of duty into the princes.
Kate and William’s Royal Family Values|Tom Sykes|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He implemented the program, oversaw it, and defended it, to say nothing of the secret prisons, which he also directed.
Time to Reopen the Case on CIA Torture|John Kiriakou|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was no slight aid to her, and leaving the management of the helm to him, she oversaw the management of the piece herself.
Fanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain|Maturin Murray Ballou
The younger Vestals, whose attendance on the sacred fire and care of the Temple she oversaw, wondered at her exacting petulance.
A Friend of Caesar|William Stearns Davis
Austin was at home in the morning and evening and oversaw their work, helping with the heavier part.
The Hero of Hill House|Mable Hale
Mr. Templeton had two children—a son who was with Price, and a daughter who oversaw the household, the mother being dead.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for oversaw

oversee

/ (ˌəʊvəˈsiː) /

verb -sees, -seeing, -saw or -seen (tr)

to watch over and direct; supervise

to watch secretly or accidentally

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

oversee

verb (used with object), o·ver·saw, o·ver·seen, o·ver·see·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of oversee

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for oversaw

British Dictionary definitions for oversaw

oversee

verb -sees, -seeing, -saw or -seen (tr)