as in to notice
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
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Recent Examples of espy
The film’s comedy is built from a series of infinitesimal touches and chance intrusions, as when Édouard, espying Charles in the street, leaps from his seat at a sidewalk café and jostles a waiter bearing drinks.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Imprisoned by the Duke of Athens, the cousins espy the beautiful Emilia from their cell—and each man falls immediately in love.
—Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
Images taken from different realities, different spaces, times, places that have been sort of cut out and pasted together to create a new scene that depicts something that no human eye would ever have espied.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023
Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia.
—Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020
The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019
For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna.
—Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Imprisoned by the Duke of Athens, the cousins espy the beautiful Emilia from their cell—and each man falls immediately in love.
—Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
Images taken from different realities, different spaces, times, places that have been sort of cut out and pasted together to create a new scene that depicts something that no human eye would ever have espied.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023
Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia.
—Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020
The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019
For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna.
—Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espy
Verb
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Mariah had noticed the young soldier standing alone while everyone else celebrated with loved ones.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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Now is not the time for pastors to wilt or keep our heads down, hoping against hope that we won’t be noticed.—
Rev. Nathan Empsall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He has not been seen in public since March, but the investigation of his activities had not previously been disclosed by Chinese authorities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
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More than 60% of European companies cite regulation as an obstacle to investment, and most see it as their biggest challenge overall.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In recent weeks, each of the actresses has been spotted out in the Goldilocks of jackets — that is, styles that are not too long and not too short.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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In August, she was spotted vacationing in a bikini alongside her man, Van Hunt.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Incidentally, an additionally license for makeup is also in the pipeline, with Barbieri eyeing the product launch in June 2026.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Many teams are reportedly eyeing blockbuster moves before this year's NFL trade deadline, including the Cleveland Browns.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Espy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espy. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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