EAVESDROPPED (ON) Synonyms: 15 Similar Words

eavesdropped (on)

verb

past tense of eavesdrop (on)

as in listened in (on)

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropped (on)

Verb

According to party rules, officials, especially those who hold leadership positions, are required to declare a change in marital status, so they’re flagged for oversight and potentially monitored for any links to corruption.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Between 60% and 70% of new Ebola cases are being detected among people who were not already being monitored as contacts, meaning health workers may only discover infections after patients become sick and have had opportunities to expose others.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of monitored

Verb

Explosions could be heard as the munitions detonated during the fire, forcing firefighters to stay out of the area for safety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
The ship’s captain has pleaded not guilty to charges including criminal damage in a case set to be heard early next year in Hong Kong, where the company is registered.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of heard

Verb

While checking into his hotel in Paris three years ago, Lucas overheard a pair of rugby fans from South Africa talking about their monthlong stay in France for the tournament.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations.

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of overheard

Verb

In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026
On one wall, the researchers spied what first appeared to be patches of dirt or debris on a mural; further scrutiny showed these were actually thin scraps of plaster that were inscribed with strange markings.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

Definition of spied

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eavesdrop (on)

eavesdropped (on)

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“Eavesdropped (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropped%20%28on%29. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of eavesdropped (on)

verb

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