Definition of espionagenext
as in spying
the secret gathering of information on others the acts of espionage on behalf of the Confederacy carried on by Belle Boyd and Rose Greenhow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of espionage Internationally, abandoning the norm against economic espionage may spur a spy race with other countries, China in particular. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 Joby filed a suit late last year alleging corporate espionage against Archer and George Kivork, a former Joby employee who left to work for Archer. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Past spy scandals Hanning’s arrest is the latest in a series of notorious espionage scandals in Germany. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 Wind turbines are vulnerable to cyber espionage and cyberattacks, according to De Kleijn. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for espionage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espionage
spying
Noun
  • Moreover, its lead in many technologies meant that the United States had much more to lose than to gain by legitimizing commercial spying.
    — DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That show tackled Bitcoin, viral videos, NSA spying, and the goofy-ass names of 2010s tech startups without being hacky or hammy.
    — Meredith Haggerty, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Espionage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espionage. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on espionage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!