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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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
-
Although there were no photos of Swift arriving at Arrowhead Stadium this time, the NBC Sports cameras spotted her in a suite.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The first-year head coach was spotted hitting the recruiting trail at a high school football game in Maryland on Friday night.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Those who noticed the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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According to the Journal-Constitution, the Paulding County School District declined to answer its questions about how many adult supervisors were on the field trip and how long the girl was missing before her absence was noticed.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Lebda also once eyed another sport too.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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Filming is being eyed for Q1, 2026.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Traditionally, the north east of England has been regarded as a fertile breeding ground for talent, but its clubs have been rather less good at keeping that talent and rather less good altogether.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Widely regarded as one of the country's most influential political figures, Odinga shaped Kenya's modern democracy over a career spanning more than four decades.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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