eavesdropped (on)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropped (on)
Verb
  • For decades, the state’s population of piping plovers has been closely monitored each year and the bird’s habitat remains protected.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • Even though Yates told staff of her drug use history, staff placed her in a cell where she would not be monitored for withdrawals or overdoses, the suit alleged.
    Theresa Clift July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • On the opposite side of the ball, he could be heard barking orders out during pick-and-roll situations, loudly letting teammates know where the ball-handler was headed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Griffin and Mahony first heard about the Canberra competition just after their wedding.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere during the event, Harry was overheard providing a few family updates to guests.
    Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 17 July 2026
  • Degorski had told an ex-girlfriend of his role in the killings, and a friend who overheard her talking about it in 2002 went to the police.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 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

“Eavesdropped (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropped%20%28on%29. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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