eavesdropping (on)

verb

Definition of eavesdropping (on)next
present participle of eavesdrop (on)
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)
  1. monitoring
  2. spying
  3. hearing
Verb
  • So are your baby monitor, garage door opener, your GPS, the weather-monitoring satellites and the radars keeping planes safely apart.
    — Aylin Yener, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii residents and visitors should continue monitoring forecasts and any watches or warnings that may be issued as Lowell approaches the islands, the hurricane center said.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of monitoring
Verb
  • That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • He was arrested by the police and convicted of spying for a terror plot against the network.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of spying
Verb
  • Three whole weeks had passed without my hearing his voice or even receiving a message from him.
    — Hisham Matar, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • After hearing the swimmer’s story from Lake Tahoe over the weekend, Rust did one of the hardest things a person can do.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hearing
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.

Browse Nearby Words

eavesdropping
eavesdropping (on)
eavesdrops (on)
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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 11 Sep. 2026.

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