SPIED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

spied

verb

past tense of spy

as in spotted

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I spy a motel off in the distance, so let's spend the night there

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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.

Recent Examples of spied The tourists, having sent home seven players and their coaching staff mid-series, made four changes but really only spied solace in the performance of Razaullah Khan, one of three debutants. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 To the north of the fire, between a forest and a small dirt road, Olstead spied a green field—the jump spot. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Satellite imagery has already spied an area of rising seas expanding north from South and Central America to California’s Baja Peninsula, with a northward expansion expected from there. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 Next, astronomers spied several exoplanets that are gas giants like Jupiter—but in orbits so tight that these worlds practically skim the surfaces of their stars. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026 In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Julius, along with Ruth and David Greenglass, had spied for the Soviet Union. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 Glimmers of this optimism could be spied in the FOMC’s statement, issued ahead of Warsh’s press conference. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026 There, golden bamboo is freshly planted, new curvilinear furniture is featured, high tea is served and Mount Fuji can be spied in the jaw-dropping panoramas on clear days. — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied

Verb

On Monday, while crews were surveying for damage, first responders spotted alarming cracks around some homes, Long Beach Fire Department Capt.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Just last week, Hailey Bieber was spotted wearing a pretty powder blue V-neck top that immediately went to the top of my wishlist.

— Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of spotted

Verb

Michael Reaves / Getty Images When the Bears traveled to Cincinnati for a joint practice last month, Kmet noticed how much the Bengals’ defense changed in one offseason, a perfect example of the message Johnson is sending.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Common causes include overwatering, pests like leafminers or spider mites, fungal issues, or frost damage, which is often noticed in early spring.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of noticed

Verb

Last year, Killian was on a list with other campuses that appear to be eyed for closure.

— Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Production is being eyed for November, filming primarily in the Tampa/Clearwater area, where the original Hooters restaurant opened in 1983.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of eyed

Verb

Published posthumously in 2013, the subsequent Work and Structure became a literary phenomenon in Germany and is now regarded as one of the defining works of contemporary German literature.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
Detractors will undoubtedly argue that his peak 2023-24 season, having joined in 2021, is now regarded as the exception rather than the rule across five years in which Bailey could not consistently reach the heights his talent had promised.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of regarded

Browse Nearby Words

spidery

spied

spiel

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“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spied

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