as in spies
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
a secret agent posing as a government employee
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Recent Examples of secret agents
It's been nearly a decade since The Night Manager ensnared viewers in its sticky web of arms dealers, secret agents, and dodgy bureaucrats.
—
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
The show includes high-stakes undercover operations and night chases to secret agents, treasure maps, and vast sums of black-market money changing hands.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Once inside, you’re greeted by a van that’s been transformed into a home base for secret agents investigating the area; a merchandise stand, a ticket booth that resembles old-school movie theater registers; and a pizza parlor.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
The show includes high-stakes undercover operations and night chases to secret agents, treasure maps, and vast sums of black-market money changing hands.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Once inside, you’re greeted by a van that’s been transformed into a home base for secret agents investigating the area; a merchandise stand, a ticket booth that resembles old-school movie theater registers; and a pizza parlor.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret agents
spies
Noun
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Just two good old-fashioned American spies, the Soviet Union, the Cold War and a lot of high jinks.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
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Rather than send the grieving widows back to the States, the head honchos decide to turn them into spies.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Secret agents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret%20agents. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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