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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With Me is led by Juan Naula, who after moving to Los Angeles and noticing trash in public spaces, used social media to get the word out and invite people to clean up their neighborhoods.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026 -
The car was eventually transferred to a tow yard, where an employee called police after noticing a foul smell emanating from the vehicle.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In children, spotting AKI early is even harder.—
Jyoti Madhusoodanan,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
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Seeing even one oarfish near shore is rare, the description noted, and spotting two in the same place is highly unusual.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The panel’s members unanimously decided to delay voting on the contract until April 1, citing an interest in seeing the full contract first.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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The changes that come from not seeing your bundle of joy every day and managing an evolving relationship, as your kids find their own way, can be emotional and overwhelming.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Costco first proposed building a New England distribution center last summer, eying more than 400 acres of fields and woodlands that straddle the Plainfield and Canterbury border near I-395.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Kremlin was eyeing an immediate boost.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Economists have expressed concern regarding the additional costs of these services, noting the financial risk for those already struggling to get by.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
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The approach reflects her broader philosophy regarding risk and entrepreneurship.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Espying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espying. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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