eavesdrop (on)

verb

ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (on) (audio)
Definition of eavesdrop (on)next
as in to listen in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)
  1. monitor
  2. hear
  3. spy
  4. overhear
Verb
  • The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, a British military agency that monitors maritime safety, said a tanker was involved in an incident while transiting the strait.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • How Wednesday’s incident unfolded Hunt said that some people affiliated with Migra Watch, which monitors ICE through NorCal Resist, followed immigration agents to the Moss building earlier Wednesday before Masias’ detainment and hospitalization.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • Bono, on the other hand, believed their message could only achieve its highest goal when heard by as many people as possible.
    — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Cancer June 21 – July 22 Someone’s certainty could be making your own question harder to hear.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of hear
Verb
  • Back in virtual Brooklyn, Friday sneaks into Jocasta’s loft to spy as Jocasta works through a heaping helping of foreshadowing about her phantom partner on the Nest nanobots.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But in other races in Ohio, Democrats spy a clear opportunity.
    — Naomi Nix, Time, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of spy
Verb
  • The server overheard some of their conversation and told them Southern Belle’s was for sale.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • One of the most powerful conceits in the book occurs when the two leave an airport venue and readers get the perspective of a person who served or overheard them.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of overhear
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

eat (up)
eavesdrop (on)
eavesdropped (on)
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Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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