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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Capability allows autonomous systems to perform multiple tasks This capability allows autonomous systems to perform tasks such as locating hostile radar emissions, monitoring communications, and supporting electronic countermeasures.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026 -
The Department of Streets and Sanitation said crews will be out through Monday morning, monitoring arterial streets, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, bridges, and overpasses to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles, public transportation, and other travelers.—
Albert Ramon,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Two spying buses passed me and took pictures of my car, resulting in my receiving two citations costing me $100.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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But there is little doubt, officials and experts say, that spying efforts are intensifying as the world’s two dominant superpowers, the United States and China, battle for superiority across economic, technological, military and ideological fronts.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Their only requisite, besides location, was a top-floor unit, so there’d be no risk of hearing neighbors above.—
Carisa Crawford Chappell,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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After hearing their parents lay it out, none of the Smith kids — Lilly, Eli, Maggie, Brice, Wilson or Jesse — flinched at the idea of helping their baby sister.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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