1. watching something happen without participating

Examples

• The onlooking crowd gasped as the acrobat performed the dangerous stunt.
• She felt uncomfortable under the onlooking eyes of her classmates.
• The onlooking tourists took photos of the street performance.
• An onlooking police officer decided to intervene in the argument.
• The onlooking children watched in amazement as the magician performed tricks.
• He remained silent among the onlooking group of neighbors.