eavesdrop
verb
eaves·drop
ˈēvz-ˌdräp 
eavesdropped; eavesdropping; eavesdrops
: to listen secretly to what is said in private
eavesdropper
noun
Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence
a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers
Recent Examples on the Web
Biden countered that the U.S. planes were in international waters and had every right to be there, adding that if China were more open about its military operations, the United States would not be eavesdropping so much.
—
Jane Perlez, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
All the best intentions about not eavesdropping are difficult to uphold when a stranger in close radius has the volume turned way up.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The lawyers have raised concerns about inspectors’ turning off shop cameras during searches, a tactic that Sheriff Miranda said was necessary to prevent owners from eavesdropping.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 13 June 2024
Along with a colleague from a rival newspaper, Mr. Fineman was arrested in 1974 and charged with disorderly conduct after attempting to eavesdrop on a meeting of the local Fraternal Order of Police.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for eavesdrop 
Jane Perlez, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
All the best intentions about not eavesdropping are difficult to uphold when a stranger in close radius has the volume turned way up.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The lawyers have raised concerns about inspectors’ turning off shop cameras during searches, a tactic that Sheriff Miranda said was necessary to prevent owners from eavesdropping.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 13 June 2024
Along with a colleague from a rival newspaper, Mr. Fineman was arrested in 1974 and charged with disorderly conduct after attempting to eavesdrop on a meeting of the local Fraternal Order of Police.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for eavesdrop
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eavesdrop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Eavesdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eavesdrop. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
eavesdrop
verb
eaves·drop
ˈēvz-ˌdräp
: to listen secretly to private conversation
eavesdropper
noun
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