ESPYING Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

espying

verb

present participle of espy

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

The brothers began studying the weather more precisely, noticing patterns in forecasts and how the weather actually plays out around us.

— Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The best safety technology is the kind that prevents a crash without anyone noticing it was needed.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of noticing

Verb

The half-mile Scrub Jay Loop is a prime place for spotting the state’s only endemic bird, which is threatened by habitat loss.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Styles has been spotting walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan on show days, popping into coffee shops, and chatting with fans on the street.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of spotting

Verb

If this sort of shotgun approach to local targeting is a relatively unfamiliar phenomenon in political circles, football fans have long grown used to seeing ads for things that are essentially irrelevant to their own interests.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
In fact, resilient optimism begins with seeing the problem clearly.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of seeing

Verb

Ukraine still controls key stronghold cities in the Donbas and has refused to give up this land, arguing Putin may be eyeing not just a public relations success but a powerful launchpad for future invasion attempts.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026
There had been buzz for months that L’Occitane had been eyeing a sale of Elemis.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of eyeing

Verb

Wednesday’s filing is the latest in Black’s legal dispute regarding Epstein.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026
But rising concerns regarding affordability and data centers boosted the campaign of Acton and running mate David Pepper, the former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party.

— Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of regarding

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

espy

espying

esquire

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Espying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espying. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of espying

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quondam

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes