Thesaurus results for EAVESDROPPER

eavesdrop (on)

verb

ˈēvz-ˌdräp

Definition of eavesdrop (on)

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

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)

Verb

Instead, adopt an integration plan customized for the leader, apply the concepts of optimal distinctiveness and monitor and adjust as necessary.

— Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 17 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

Definition of monitor

Verb

Beijing — An American scientist who has studied underground nuclear tests has been detained in China for more than 18 months on spying charges, according to his supporters and a US lawmaker.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The band’s members were among the first to spy a spark from a circuit breaker that may have set off the blaze that roared across the ceiling, which experts suspect was covered with highly combustible material.

— Tian Macleod Ji, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of spy

Verb

Elsewhere during the event, Harry was overheard providing a few family updates to guests.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 17 July 2026
Everyone knew the story, though Andrew’s relatives were more reluctant to speak of it, to even mention the cult’s name — Synanon — craning their necks to see if any members of her family were close enough to overhear their speculations.

— Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Definition of overhear

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.

Browse Nearby Words

eat (up)

eavesdrop (on)

eavesdropped (on)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of eavesdrop (on)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes