surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl How to pronounce surveil (audio)
surveilled; surveilling

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Contrary to common misconceptions, such documents typically do not grant the agent a right to surveil the person who appointed them. Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 However, the primary purpose of the unmarked vehicles is to surveil criminal behavior without being identified as law enforcement, the Fresno Police Department said. Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025 This inspires Dale to surveil him and Peggy, turned on by their dirty little secret. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025 The same Israeli technologies used to surveil Palestinians are now deployed around the U.S., including at our ports of entry and our borders. Tariq Habash, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for surveil

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveil was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on surveil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!