: software that is installed in a computer or mobile device without the user's knowledge and that transmits information about the user's activities
Jan should scan her computer for viruses, worms, and spyware …—
Kenneth Baldauf and Ralph Stair
Kenneth Baldauf and Ralph StairSmartphones belonging to more than three dozen journalists, human rights activists, and business executives have been infected with powerful spyware that an Israeli firm sells, purportedly to catch terrorists and criminals, The Washington Post and other publications reported.—Dan Goodin
Dan Goodin
Examples of spyware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Estimating that over 90% of the population there has access to high-speed internet, al-Sharif claims that this comes with high surveillance, and spyware and AI can put women's rights activists' safety and freedom of speech at risk.
—Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 21 Aug. 2023
What's important about it and about focusing on the threat of spyware?
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2023
The infection technique used in Triangulation is similar to that used by NSO and other vendors of high-end spyware.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 21 June 2023
An analysis Talos published on Thursday provides the most detailed look yet at Predator, a piece of advanced spyware that can be used against Android and iOS mobile devices.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 May 2023
When consumers call the phone number, scammers may ask for remote access to the computer to install spyware programs and gain personal information.
—USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
One piece of evidence, repeatedly cited to corroborate the claim that TikTok is de facto spyware, is China’s National Intelligence Law.
—WIRED, 9 Aug. 2023
Huawei’s equipment has previously been scrutinized by the U.S. for being used as spyware by the Chinese government, but the company has rejected such claims.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2023
The administration of Nayib Bukele has denied using spyware to monitor journalists.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 27 July 2023
See More
Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 21 Aug. 2023
What's important about it and about focusing on the threat of spyware?
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2023
The infection technique used in Triangulation is similar to that used by NSO and other vendors of high-end spyware.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 21 June 2023
An analysis Talos published on Thursday provides the most detailed look yet at Predator, a piece of advanced spyware that can be used against Android and iOS mobile devices.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 May 2023
When consumers call the phone number, scammers may ask for remote access to the computer to install spyware programs and gain personal information.
—USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
One piece of evidence, repeatedly cited to corroborate the claim that TikTok is de facto spyware, is China’s National Intelligence Law.
—WIRED, 9 Aug. 2023
Huawei’s equipment has previously been scrutinized by the U.S. for being used as spyware by the Chinese government, but the company has rejected such claims.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2023
The administration of Nayib Bukele has denied using spyware to monitor journalists.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 27 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spyware.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1994, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near spyware
Cite this Entry
“Spyware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spyware. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on spyware
Nglish: Translation of spyware for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spyware
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share