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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spied
The relative then spied a dead dog on an interstate nearby, and assumed the canine was Randy since both dogs had the same shading.
—
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Astronomers spied the bare black hole using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — a mega-instrument built by NASA and its partners in part to reveal how galaxies formed during the universe’s first billion years.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In concert with the premature switching off of sets, Bills fans were spied filing out of Highmark Stadium shortly after Henry seemingly put the game out of reach.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Astronomers spied the bare black hole using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — a mega-instrument built by NASA and its partners in part to reveal how galaxies formed during the universe’s first billion years.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In concert with the premature switching off of sets, Bills fans were spied filing out of Highmark Stadium shortly after Henry seemingly put the game out of reach.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied
Verb
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The couple were spotted seated in the front row behind home plate, ahead of baseball icon Sandy Koufax.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The teamup comes on the heels of Smith being spotted playing solitaire on his phone during game 4 of the NBA finals, Oklahoma City vs the Indiana Pacers, in June 2025.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One day, Mae noticed Gracie was looking a little larger than usual.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The following day, the company noticed suspicious activity on its own network.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The trees were cut down, sawed in half, hollowed out and tied back together for the musicians to use.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As the guys eyed each other, Madisen Beaty had made the decision to control her breathing.—
Jay Glennie,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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Immediately, the man eyed her with suspicion.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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They’re now regarded as part of the mainstream.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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The program is regarded as the largest anti-hunger program in the country.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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