onlooker
One who watches
An onlooker is someone who watches an event without participating—a spectator or bystander: Onlookers gathered at the scene of the accident.
The word often implies passive observation, sometimes with a hint of detachment or voyeurism: The fight drew a crowd of onlookers.
One who observes nearby
- viewerOne who observes visually
- watcherOne who observes
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- crowdLarge public gathering
gallery · observer · spectacle · gaze · grandstand · bleachers · sideline · attendee
Not taking part
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- nonparticipantOne not involved
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- neutralNot favoring any side
disinterested · aloof · indifferent · unengaged · inactive · impartial · uncommitted · removed
One who saw events
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- swornBound by formal promise
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
testify · corroborate · deposition · credible · affidavit · account · statement · observation
One who stares rudely
- rubberneckerOne who stares intrusively
- nosyIntrusively curious
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- inquisitiveEager to learn more
peeper · interested · fascinated · intrigued · staring · ogling · craning · peering
bystander
One who observes nearby
crowd · gallery · observer · spectacle · gaze · grandstand · bleachers · sideline · attendee · fan
uninvolved
Not taking part
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- nonparticipantOne not involved
- idleWithout activity or purpose
neutral · disinterested · aloof · indifferent · unengaged · inactive · impartial · uncommitted · removed · distant
eyewitness
One who saw events
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- swornBound by formal promise
evidence · testify · corroborate · deposition · credible · affidavit · account · statement · observation · firsthand
gawker
One who stares rudely
- rubberneckerOne who stares intrusively
- nosyIntrusively curious
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
inquisitive · peeper · interested · fascinated · intrigued · staring · ogling · craning · peering · busybody
scout
One who reconnoiters
watchful · vigilant · sentinel · spotter · reconnaissance · observation post · stakeout · surveyor · overseer · guard
- bystandersbystander, observer, spectator, watcher, viewer
- observersobserver, watcher, spectator, viewer, bystander
- spectatorsviewer, watcher, observer, audience, bystander
- non-athletesspectators, fans, viewers, observers, couch potato
- outsider perspectivefresh eyes, objectivity, observer, detachment, neutrality
- passive watchingwatching, viewing, observing, spectating, lurking
onlookerparticipant
One who takes part
active participant · partaker · contributor · doer · player
onlookerprotagonist
Story's central figure
principal · contestant · party · combatant · performer