LISTENS IN (ON) Synonyms: 14 Similar Words

listens in (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of listen in (on)

as in eavesdrops (on)

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for listens in (on)

Verb

Prospective clients should ask whether a reputation firm monitors these responses and how AI search fits into its broader approach.

— Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The Cyberspace Administration of China, which monitors online discussions, sought to assuage concerns that the new rules would make travel more difficult.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of monitors

Verb

Tucked inside that ambivalence, Longwell hears an opportunity.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Authored by Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan, THR hears that among the topics set to be covered will be Iger’s friendship-turned-rivalry with former Marvel chief Ike Perlmutter.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of hears

Verb

Late one night, Clark spies what appears to be a sliver of light coming through a crack in the wall of the store’s basement.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026
In Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s The Finding of Moses, a dog spies a young girl whose presence unlocks the painting’s meaning.

— Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

Definition of spies

Verb

Nathan overhears a snippet of this exchange, which convinces him that Joe is engaged in an all-out smear campaign against him.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
At one point, Piker overhears his brother telling me about his old job as an aerospace engineer at Boeing.

— Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of overhears

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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listens

listens in (on)

listens (to)

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“Listens in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listens%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of listens in (on)

verb

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