as in noticing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espying
Verb
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This could include asking questions about when patients are noticing their hives (after a hot shower or after being in the sun, for example), or asking patients to keep a symptom diary.—
Zia Sherrell,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026 -
But many are also noticing who’s devastated by the news these days and who isn’t.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even Wilder was completely engaged, spotting colorful beadwork and laughing as Alvin played.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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Coyotes are a familiar presence in the foothills around Pasadena, Altadena and Burbank, where residents have grown accustomed to spotting the animals in streets and on doorstep cameras.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors confirmed seeing local police and FBI agents at the home in the suburban community of Southwest Ranches.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Relative humidity will remain in the 30% to 40% range on Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday seeing a return to normal dry season humidity of around 60%.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed gratitude in her State of the City address that the owners of a warehouse that ICE was eying as a detention facility had announced plans not to sell or lease the property to the federal government.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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The American and Canadian men’s hockey teams have been eyeing each other since Connor McDavid’s overtime goal lifted Canada over the US in the 4 Nations tournament in Boston last February.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This loss hurts Mizzou’s tournament chances Mizzou remains in a tough situation regarding the NCAA Tournament.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
22 Feb. 2026
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The claims regarding Meta and YouTube are somewhat different, as are the companies’ defenses.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Espying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espying. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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