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
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One wonders how many Premier League clubs are monitoring Kane’s situation and would be disappointed by his decision to stay at Bayern Munich.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026 -
These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Some diners would rather eat later but believe restaurants get noisier as the evening goes on, preventing them from hearing their tablemates and communicating with wait staff.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dogs also learned new object names by overhearing them.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
25 Jan. 2026
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Hyman remembers overhearing a conversation between Stecher and then-Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey as the trade deadline approached.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Listening in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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