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to oversee

to oversee

221 3.9
To watch and direct other people's work
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈsiː/
translation icon : supervisar
  • In her role as manager, she was tasked to oversee the entire project from start to finish.
  • a committee oversees
  • charged with overseeing
  • oversee the operation

And lastly, who could even oversee such a monumental task?

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Examples

  • Bob has agreed to personally oversee the campaign for our new development.

  • My job in the front office was to oversee digital media and research.

  • They are successful at what they do when they oversee a large team at work.

  • I'm going to be overseeing this case.

  • Generally, most programs have a coordinator of student teaching who oversees the direction of the program.

    Academic text (1990)
  • I'm overseeing every aspect of production.

  • You are now responsible for overseeing all the temples.

  • The Peace Accords stipulated that a task force oversee the formation of a national army.

    Academic text (1992)
  • There is an Arts Department that oversees courses like English, International Studies, and Diplomacy and Theology.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Selected individuals could be tasked with overseeing regional security and reconstruction.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to manage
vsto oversee
643 2.7

To be in charge of a group or a business

focuses on broader running and control rather than only supervising tasks
to supervise
vsto oversee
189 3.5

Watch and guide people doing tasks to keep the work correct and safe

emphasizes both direction and general responsibility rather than only checking
to watch over
vsto oversee
145 2.3

To look after someone or something to keep them safe

is about directing work and performance rather than only keeping safe
to overlook
vsto oversee
12 3.5

To watch people or work to make sure it is done correctly

is more active directing the work rather than just monitoring progress
to administrate
vsto oversee
  • Formal
1 5.6

Manage and be in charge of an organization, program or activity in an official way

is general supervision of work rather than formal administrative management
to superintend
vsto oversee
  • Formal
1 7.0

To manage and direct the work of other people

is general supervision without implying formal managerial authority

Antonyms

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Closely

to direct
240 1.6
to oversee
221 3.9
to monitor
627 3.5
to manage
643 2.7

Surface Forms

oversee infinitive
overseeing present participle
oversees third person singular
oversaw past
overseen past participle

Morphology

oversee = see (transparent) = over + see

Meaning is directly derived from the productive prefix 'over-' (above/over) combined with 'see' to mean supervise or watch over.

Etymology

Oversee comes from two simple parts: over- meaning 'above' and see meaning 'to look'. So to oversee is to 'look from above', which is why it means to watch and direct other people's work.