EAVESDROPPING Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

eavesdropping

noun

Definition of eavesdropping

as in interference

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Dissimilar Words

as in wiretapping

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of eavesdropping More than a year after the tapes were shared, District Attorney Nathan Hochman charged Flores for violating a decades-old California eavesdropping statute that prohibits secret recordings without informed consent of all parties present. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Now, for the second straight summer, 49ers training camp goes on without him on the sideline — strolling, watching, eavesdropping, muttering. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Pearsall, a 59-year-old Long Beach resident, is also facing a criminal case with five felony counts of eavesdropping and more than two dozen misdemeanor counts of secretly filming or unlawful dissemination of private recordings. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026 Kevin Pearsall, 59, of Long Beach, faces five felony counts of eavesdropping, 23 misdemeanor counts of secretly filming another and three misdemeanor counts of unlawful dissemination of private recordings. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eavesdropping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropping

Noun

Seeman was banned two games for swearing at Trey McBride after Arizona's star tight end argued for a pass interference call when he was hit by a defender before the ball arrived.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Last week, Rams coach Sean McVay said the NFL privately acknowledged that officials incorrectly called defensive pass interference against Los Angeles in the closing moments of its Week 3 loss to Denver, nullifying an interception.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of interference

Noun

Later that year, he was charged with wiretapping, and although authorities did not offer more details, local journalists have reported that the alleged wiretapping was meant to monitor the investigation of his mother.

— James Lasdun, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
Under the plan, FISA, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens, would be extended for three years, with new oversight guardrails and penalties for abusing the spy tool.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of wiretapping

Noun

Chinese troops conducted reconnaissance and targeting exercises, obstacle breaching, coordinated attacks and battlefield medical drills before the exercise moved into its main operational phase, the South China Morning Post reported.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Lateral movement can produce indicators such as unusual account access, authentication activity, privilege escalation attempts or network reconnaissance.

— Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of reconnaissance

Noun

Prior to that time, Kennedy’s able to rely on behind-the-scenes footage from the Rust production, as well as footage from the interrogation and press reactions in the aftermath of the accidental shooting.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
In an interrogation room the guy would have folded like wet cardboard.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrogation

Noun

But even in the consumer technology sphere, other digital surveillance devices pose similar threats to the privacy and well-being of users, especially for women.

— Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
But what chance would American soldiers have against a country whose military doctrine has already imagined active resistance in populated areas, backed by citizens who could potentially provide intelligence, surveillance and other forms of support?

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of surveillance

Noun

The same back and forth followed another line of questioning, this time if their respective companies would bear legal responsibility if a rogue model caused injury or death.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
As the second Cunningham rally raged outside the Moda Center, once again pitting women's sports advocates against pro-trans counter-protesters, WNBA coaches faced consequential questioning inside.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of questioning

Noun

The door’s handle had been broken off but the door did not have damage consistent with a break-in, such as prying or force marks, said Det.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
If the convict can help transport the loot from that camp to a safe space far from the government’s prying eyes, the warden will punch his get-outta-jail-free card.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of prying

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“Eavesdropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropping. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of eavesdropping

noun

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