Definition of eavesdrop (on)next
as in to listen in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)
Verb
  • In industrial manufacturing, they can be used in furnace inspection and temperature-monitoring equipment.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • My goal this season is to monitor all the veteran offseason moves on a week-to-week basis to determine which signings and trades have been most impactful.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Jensen said some residents have begun exploring their legal options, citing both the emotional duress of hearing constant screams and also a fear of potentially lower property values.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Authored by Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan, THR hears that among the topics set to be covered will be Iger’s friendship-turned-rivalry with former Marvel chief Ike Perlmutter.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • To the north of the fire, between a forest and a small dirt road, Olstead spied a green field—the jump spot.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Digging a bit deeper, the study determined that while 57% of respondents would be creeped out by someone shoulder-surfing their screens, only 43% had a similar worry about people overhearing phone conversations.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The actors speak quietly, as if fearful of being overheard, whether or not there is anyone around to hear, and often regard one another with pained or stunned expressions.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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