as in listening 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 eavesdropping (on)
Verb
-
This long-term approach allowed scientists to account for changes in coffee and tea consumption over time, while monitoring for both clinical dementia diagnoses and subtle shifts in cognitive function.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026 -
These traits make biodrones suitable for inspecting pipelines, surveying industrial zones, monitoring power lines, or supporting search and rescue missions in hard-to-reach locations.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The spying operation was unusually vast and allowed the hackers to hoover up sensitive information in apparent coordination with geopolitical events, such as diplomatic missions, trade negotiations, political unrest and military actions, according to the report.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In Oklahoma, Pastor Hau Suan Khai started hearing about cancellations from Christian refugees who, like him, had come to the US fleeing persecution in Myanmar.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The court is in the middle of a four-week break from hearing arguments and issuing opinions.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 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.
Cite this Entry
“Eavesdropping (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropping%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
