as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espies
Verb
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This song ends the same way — nobody notices her quiet everyday heroism, but nothing can quench her spirit.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026 -
So while the card has long been Bilt’s headline, the next 18 months will be about whether anyone notices the rest.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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When her mother’s former gallerist reaches out with the offer of a show in exchange for the series’ completion, Indigo sees it as a financial lifeline—and in the face of her mother’s staunch refusal, decides to finish the series herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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In an episode filled with tragic endings for various characters, including Rue herself, Faye sees some kind of hope on the horizon.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
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In the Africa section, the zoo eyes a revamp of the hippo and crocodile habitats and at least one additional exhibit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
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The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday as the franchise eyes its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Eats Beat columnist Bud Kennedy covered a busy month of Fort Worth-area restaurant news in May, from beloved institutions closing to fresh brunch spots opening.—
Ryan J. Rusak,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
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Illinois lawmakers voted to legalize sports betting, allowing a Chicago casino, slot machines at both city airports, casinos in the south suburbs, Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Williamson County, slot machines at horse racing tracks and spots betting at casinos and tracks.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Espies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espies. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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