: 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 GoodinExamples of spyware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
This is the team behind many of the zero-day spyware discoveries plaguing Android and iPhone.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Extensions from unknown websites or third-party downloads are far more likely to hide malware or spyware.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Disappearing Messages While WhatsApp is protected by end-to-end encryption, your messages can be read if you are compromised by spyware or if someone gains physical access to your device.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Wired News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spyware
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Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
This is the team behind many of the zero-day spyware discoveries plaguing Android and iPhone.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Extensions from unknown websites or third-party downloads are far more likely to hide malware or spyware.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Disappearing Messages While WhatsApp is protected by end-to-end encryption, your messages can be read if you are compromised by spyware or if someone gains physical access to your device.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Wired News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spyware
Cite this Entry
“Spyware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spyware. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spyware
noun
spy·ware
ˈspī-ˌwer 
: software that is installed in a computer or mobile device without the user's knowledge and that transmits information about the user's activities
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