rubberneck
1 of 2noun
rub·ber·neck ˈrə-bər-ˌnek 
1
: an overly inquisitive person
2
: tourist
especially : one on a guided tour
rubberneck
2 of 2verb
rubbernecked; rubbernecking; rubbernecks
intransitive verb
1
: to look about or stare with exaggerated curiosity
drivers passing the accident slowed down to rubberneck
2
: to go on a tour : sightsee
rubbernecker
ˈrə-bər-ˌne-kər
noun 
Synonyms
Noun
- excursionist
- rubbernecker
- sightseer
- tourist
- traveler
- traveller
- tripper [chiefly British]
Verb
- blink
- gape
- gawk
- gawp [chiefly British]
- gaze
- goggle
- peer
- stare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun every year raucous rubbernecks by the busload descend upon the city for its famed Mardi Gras Verb She was rubbernecking and almost got in an accident herself. thoughtless drivers pausing on the highway to rubberneck at the accident
Recent Examples on the Web
Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021 What can only be described as a rubberneck-inducing, Alfalfa hair situation ensues, rendering her date-night vibe—a formfitting V-neck pink dress and no-makeup makeup look—virtually irreparable. Kate Branch, Vogue, 15 July 2018 The branch fell hard to the ground, scattering bees and rubbernecks in all directions. Ben Kesling, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2017 Mikey O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2022 When the movie was released in 1970, the Beatles had just broken up, and this moment allowed fans to rubberneck at the cracks in the band’s façade, giving fuel to those who argued that McCartney was to blame for the split. Dan Reilly, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 That is, there’s no constraint: Drivers don’t have to behave in a certain way, because there’s no longer a rubbernecking driver in front of them. Matt Simon, Wired, 7 Apr. 2020 Drivers rubbernecked past the Indian Health Care Center, which had been placed on near-total lockdown. Alden Woods, azcentral, 11 Apr. 2020 There are options for those who would rather rubberneck than subscribe: His website will sell you a replica Barings Bank trading jacket for €300. Charley Grant, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2020 There have been plenty of other wrecks at this spot, just in the past week or two, reminding fans why sports is such rubbernecking fun. John Branch, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2019 There’s a rubbernecking aspect to listening to Alabama fans lose their minds after a loss, which is a big reason the shows became so famous outside the state. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 12 Nov. 2019 There is an equality of skin on display here — first Nathan strips naked, and then Issa does, swapping rubbernecking for an intimate mutual gaze. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 3 July 2019 See More
Noun
Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane. Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021 What can only be described as a rubberneck-inducing, Alfalfa hair situation ensues, rendering her date-night vibe—a formfitting V-neck pink dress and no-makeup makeup look—virtually irreparable. Kate Branch, Vogue, 15 July 2018 The branch fell hard to the ground, scattering bees and rubbernecks in all directions. Ben Kesling, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2017 Verb
Hollywood seems particularly keen to rubberneck these days. Mikey O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2022 When the movie was released in 1970, the Beatles had just broken up, and this moment allowed fans to rubberneck at the cracks in the band’s façade, giving fuel to those who argued that McCartney was to blame for the split. Dan Reilly, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 That is, there’s no constraint: Drivers don’t have to behave in a certain way, because there’s no longer a rubbernecking driver in front of them. Matt Simon, Wired, 7 Apr. 2020 Drivers rubbernecked past the Indian Health Care Center, which had been placed on near-total lockdown. Alden Woods, azcentral, 11 Apr. 2020 There are options for those who would rather rubberneck than subscribe: His website will sell you a replica Barings Bank trading jacket for €300. Charley Grant, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2020 There have been plenty of other wrecks at this spot, just in the past week or two, reminding fans why sports is such rubbernecking fun. John Branch, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2019 There’s a rubbernecking aspect to listening to Alabama fans lose their minds after a loss, which is a big reason the shows became so famous outside the state. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 12 Nov. 2019 There is an equality of skin on display here — first Nathan strips naked, and then Issa does, swapping rubbernecking for an intimate mutual gaze. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 3 July 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1
rubbernecking 1 of 2
noun
as in eavesdropping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- eavesdropping
- interference
- intrusiveness
- questioning
- prying
- wonderment
- officiousness
- obtrusiveness
- attentiveness
- inquisitiveness
- interest
- concern
- meddlesomeness
- nosiness
- inquiry
- curiosity
- interrogation
- curiousness
- regard
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifference
- incuriosity
- disregard
- apathy
- unconcern
- incuriousness
- disinterestedness
rubbernecking
2 of 2verb
as in gawking
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise thoughtless drivers pausing on the highway to rubberneck at the accident Synonyms & Similar Words
- gawking
- staring
- gazing
- peering
- gawping
- gaping
- goggling
- glaring
- blinking
- watching
- gloating
- ogling
- glowering
- fixating
- leering
- perusing
- eyeing
- observing
- studying
- considering
- eying
- staring down
- regarding
- outstaring
- outfacing
- poring (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glancing
- peeking
- peeping
- scanning
- browsing
- glimpsing
- dipping (into)
- winking (at)