listens in (on)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listens in (on)
Verb
  • The resort monitors its carbon and water footprint.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike existing defense methods that rely mainly on sensors, SHIELD monitors a drone’s entire control system.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court hears a case today about the government's ability to regulate conversion therapy.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Plaintiffs warn of federal government overreach, as well as the longer-term impacts of deploying troops against American citizens, and urged the judge who hears the case to put a halt to the White House's actions.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When Leo first spies the orphaned Josie singing on a Boston street corner, he’s struck by her resemblance to the Pendleton family, his father’s former employers and the victims of great tragedy when their baby was kidnapped in 1880.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Lo overhears a scuffle in the cabin next door and a distinct splash in the freezing ocean waters.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
  • But a nurse eventually overhears Archer and Hannah discussing it, and misunderstands the situation.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 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

“Listens in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listens%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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