LISTENING IN (ON) Synonyms: 15 Similar Words

listening in (on)

verb

present participle of listen in (on)

as in eavesdropping (on)

to listen to (another in private conversation) it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening in (on)

Verb

Those who are not immunized and were exposed anywhere from one to three weeks ago should stay home and limit interactions for 21 days after being exposed while monitoring for symptoms, including a fever or unexplained rash.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also better at monitoring your heart rate thanks to upgraded optical and electrical heart sensors.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of monitoring

Verb

But their interest deepens after reading Buffett’s annual letters, which became required reading for many investors, and hearing him speak in interviews.

— Josh Funk, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
Yaghi, who has six daughters and a retired husband, returned after hearing that Israeli forces had withdrawn from the village at the end of July.

— Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of hearing

Verb

Meanwhile, Iran’s state TV said a man was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Soon after spying the hungry bird, the family watched in horror as the kite accidentally dropped the reptile right into their backyard, bringing an abrupt end to tea on the veranda.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of spying

Verb

Digging a bit deeper, the study determined that while 57% of respondents would be creeped out by someone shoulder-surfing their screens, only 43% had a similar worry about people overhearing phone conversations.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
We weren’t allowed to leave the room to prevent anyone from overhearing our conversations and perhaps posting [the questions] on the Internet.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of overhearing

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

listening

listening in (on)

listening (to)

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“Listening in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of listening in (on)

verb

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