as in listened in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation)
a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropped (on)
Verb
-
In those policies, residents can be reminded that the cameras are not continuously monitored (if that is the case) and assured that no neighbors have access to the recordings.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026 -
In addition to going door to door, law enforcement officials used helicopters, drones and monitored surveillance footage during their investigation, CBS News reported.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Before last year, Cecilia Alemani, the chief curator at the High Line, had never heard of—much less seen—a pigeon diaper.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
When House Bill 1359, which addressed scanning early voting ballots, was heard in the Senate Elections committee this year, the bill was amended to decrease early voting from 28 days to 16 days.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Singer Sam Smith is reportedly engaged to British designer Christian Cowan, according to a source who allegedly overheard the couple discussing their betrothal in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Sakeena was standing nearby and overheard much of the conversation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
For years, the rover ascended a feature called Mount Sharp within the crater, aiming to reach clay-rich layers that orbiters circling the planet had spied.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And Mindi said at one point she was being spied upon.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 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.
Cite this Entry
“Eavesdropped (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropped%20%28on%29. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
