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 He was charged with five felony counts of eavesdropping, 23 misdemeanor counts of secretly filming another person and three misdemeanor counts of unlawful dissemination of private recordings. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 24 June 2026 The staff of Sermitsiaq had taken to leaving their phones outside editorial meetings, for fear of eavesdropping by the United States. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Greylord was a watershed moment in its use of eavesdropping devices and a mole to obtain evidence instead of relying on wrongdoers to become government informants. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eavesdropping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropping

Noun

Vildor allowed two catches, and Minor got flagged for a deep defensive pass interference penalty.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
CAPTCHAs were developed to deter and detect spam, worms, and bots, and, later, to defend against disinformation campaigns, election interference, and acts of cyberterrorism.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 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

The researchers pointed to the alliance’s May agreement to develop UUVs for protecting underwater infrastructure while supporting surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine missions.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
But as disasters become more frequent and more complex, today’s generation of search, rescue, surveillance, and reconnaissance technology may not provide the endurance and technological capabilities required for some emergency-response applications.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of reconnaissance

Noun

Ask what is owed, offered, felt, or feared without turning the whole thing into an interrogation.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
As surveillance and interrogation deepen, the line between loyalty and obsession blurs, leading both men into a dangerous and uncontrollable connection.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of interrogation

Noun

The Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft built to provide persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of surveillance

Noun

Police detained several people for questioning but said they are not necessarily considered suspects.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Maddox, who was handcuffed outside his mother’s home while investigators searched the property, was also released without charges after several hours of questioning.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

Definition of questioning

Noun

Meanwhile, celebrities opting for real-life mountain living include Tom Cruise with his staggering 298-acre mountain estate, as well as Oprah Winfrey, who both chose Telluride, Colorado to build in, live in and escape prying paparazzi.

— Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Part of the Democratic disagreement comes from just how much attention to pay to media outlets’ prying, versus the power of the message.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 15 July 2026