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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.
Shortly after the French 75’s breach of the detention center, Lockjaw surveils her from his car, peering at her through binoculars. Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025 At the heart of the controversy is a fear that the Chinese government will coerce TP-Link or use its hardware to surveil Americans. PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025 Meanwhile, a new wave of digital tools has emerged to help surveil the surveillants. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025 Photography has long been complicit in these systems, used to surveil, categorise, and justify power. Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Oct. 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 30 Nov. 2025.

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