oversee
verb
over·see ˌō-vər-ˈsē 
oversaw ˌō-vər-ˈsȯ ; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn ; overseeing
; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn ; overseeing 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
- administer
- administrate
- carry on
- conduct
- control
- direct
- govern
- guide
- handle
- keep
- manage
- operate
- overlook
- preside (over)
- regulate
- run
- steward
- superintend
- supervise
- tend
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was hired to oversee design and construction of the new facility. will oversee the new manufacturing division
Recent Examples on the Web Technically, couples don’t even need an officiant, although many might ask an imam to oversee the ceremony. 
Emma Green, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2022 Renacci volunteered to oversee changes to the party's bylaws, including how Republicans are endorsed. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 So the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is creating five new jobs meant to oversee a restoration program specifically for the North American beaver. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Lynn Bowersox, a Metro senior vice president helping to oversee the line’s incorporation into the transit system, said during the Metro board meeting Thursday that 450 employees are learning the layout of the stations and facilities. Justin George, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 In a case similar to Trump’s, a special master was appointed to oversee the document review in the federal investigation of the ex-president’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 The auditor’s main duty is to oversee the collection of data from a government entity, program, or contractor to identify misspending or neglect of duties. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Russian soldiers have occupied the plant since early March, though Ukrainian technicians have continued to oversee the station’s operations. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 Partnering with Great Basin College, the company has held job training seminars for tribal members, committed $5 million for a new preschool and cultural museum and invited some to oversee cultural surveys. Daniel Moore, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Emma Green, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2022 Renacci volunteered to oversee changes to the party's bylaws, including how Republicans are endorsed. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 So the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is creating five new jobs meant to oversee a restoration program specifically for the North American beaver. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Lynn Bowersox, a Metro senior vice president helping to oversee the line’s incorporation into the transit system, said during the Metro board meeting Thursday that 450 employees are learning the layout of the stations and facilities. Justin George, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 In a case similar to Trump’s, a special master was appointed to oversee the document review in the federal investigation of the ex-president’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 The auditor’s main duty is to oversee the collection of data from a government entity, program, or contractor to identify misspending or neglect of duties. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Russian soldiers have occupied the plant since early March, though Ukrainian technicians have continued to oversee the station’s operations. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 Partnering with Great Basin College, the company has held job training seminars for tribal members, committed $5 million for a new preschool and cultural museum and invited some to oversee cultural surveys. Daniel Moore, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
oversee
verb
over·see ˌō-vər-ˈsē
oversaw
-ˈsȯ
; overseen -ˈsēn
; overseeing : to be in charge of : supervise
oversaw
verb
1
as in supervised
to look after and make decisions about will oversee the new manufacturing division Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- supervised
- managed
- handled
- operated
- controlled
- conducted
- ran
- regulated
- governed
- directed
- run
- guided
- administered
- superintended
- tended
- kept
- led
- administrated
- steered
- protected
- carried on
- stewarded
- watched
- watched over
- overlooked
- piloted
- presided (over)
- safeguarded
- guarded
- minded
- micromanaged
- co-managed
- codirected
- stage-managed
- co-directed
- comanaged
- cared (for)
2
as in handled
to be in charge of looking for someone to oversee the project from start to finish Synonyms & Similar Words
- supervised
- handled
- managed
- steered
- directed
- superintended
- commanded
- captained
- headed
- guided
- controlled
- ran
- ordered
- quarterbacked
- shepherded
- bossed
- administered
- run
- watched over
- overlooked
- showed
- monitored
- ruled
- called the shots (of)
- governed
- called the tune (for)
- rode herd on
- reigned
- presided (over)
3
as in watched
to take charge of especially on behalf of another oversee the household until Dad gets home Synonyms & Similar Words
- supervised
- watched
- attended
- managed
- superintended
- tended
- controlled
- operated
- guided
- conducted
- ran
- directed
- protected
- saw after
- guarded
- saw to
- governed
- looked after
- shepherded
- run
- minded
- regulated
- administrated
- patrolled
- stewarded
- took care of
- safeguarded
- shielded
- chaperoned
- cared (for)
- babysat
- mothered
- presided (over)
- babied
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abandoned
- ignored
- forgot
- neglected
- disregarded
- passed over
4
as in examined
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) her job was to oversee each and every dish before it left the kitchen and was served to a customer Synonyms & Similar Words
- examined
- reviewed
- surveyed
- scanned
- inspected
- watched
- viewed
- scrutinized
- analyzed
- conned
- investigated
- audited
- studied
- went over
- explored
- noticed
- perused
- observed
- dissected
- combed
- overlooked
- researched
- probed
- checked (out)
- categorized
- classified
- parsed
- plumbed
- reinspected
- picked over
- pored (over)
- resurveyed
- re-reviewed
- rereviewed
- delved (into)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- missed
- glanced (at or over)
- skimmed