listening in (on)

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
  • As of Thursday, the NHC was monitoring a disturbance in the Atlantic with an 80 percent chance of cyclone formation over the next seven days.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • America’s retreat from WHO deepens the damage by weakening global systems for monitoring outbreaks, reviewing evidence and maintaining databases such as the Global Burden of Disease.
    Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Don Felder, a second cousin who now helps manage Gibson’s estate and legacy, grew up hearing her tell stories breaking the barriers in tennis and then in golf.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Davis remembers hearing the whispers of concern.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Pentagon has deployed unmanned aircraft for spying missions over the Black Sea, with one drone downed by a Russian fighter jet in March 2023.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The abrupt rise in deportations and claims of Afghans spying attracted international condemnation.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
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.

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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 10 Sep. 2025.

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