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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdropping (on)
Verb
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Outside of Puerto Vallarta, airlines were carefully monitoring flight operations on a case-by-case basis.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026 -
Local departments of social services were also cited for weaknesses in managing bank accounts, following procurement rules, monitoring contracts and ensuring lawful disbursements.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Arthur and Alysa were targeted in a spying operation that the US Justice Department alleges was ordered by the Chinese government.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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The clinic is to provide that information at the next status hearing on March 4.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
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Make better hearing easy and accessibly priced.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Eavesdropping (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdropping%20%28on%29. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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