Synonyms of spying

spying 1 of 2

noun

as in espionage

the secret gathering of information on others

traditionally, anyone caught engaging in spying during wartime was shot or hanged

Synonyms & Similar Words

• espionage
• counterintelligence
• counterespionage
• surveillance
• wiretapping
• reconnaissance
• intelligence
• eavesdropping
• bugging
• observation
• cloak-and-dagger
• tradecraft
• lowdown
• dope
• goods

spying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spy

as in noticing

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

I spy a motel off in the distance, so let's spend the night there

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noticing
• spotting
• eying
• seeing
• eyeing
• regarding
• viewing
• watching
• observing
• remarking
• looking (at)
• espying
• perceiving
• sighting
• witnessing
• catching
• beholding
• noting
• discerning
• distinguishing
• descrying
• getting a load of
• identifying
• scanning
• surveying
• setting eyes on
• laying eyes on
• considering
• studying
• inspecting
• picking out
• scrutinizing
• attending (to)
• examining
• marking
• making out
• heeding
• glimpsing
• peering (at)
• glancing (at)
• picking up
• minding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• neglecting
• disregarding
• passing over
• missing
• overlooking
• overpassing