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
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
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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On September 5, the Friends actress was spotted enjoying a New York City date night with her boyfriend, Jim Cutis.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The three of them have recently been spotted in puff-sleeve pieces.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But in recent years, psychologists, sociologists and concerned parents alike have noticed a growing number of young adults who seem caught in this adolescent quicksand — unable or unwilling to take the next step into adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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People in neighborhood are afraid, candidates say The Republican candidate seeking Hortman’s seat, real estate agent Ruth Bittner, noticed early in her campaign that people in the neighborhood where Hortman was killed seemed afraid to open their doors.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 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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Spector then eyed the camera directly and dramatically took a sip of a drink.—
Judy Kurtz,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
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Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on Monday, as investors assessed Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation announcement over the weekend and eyed key economic data in the region.—
Holly Ellyatt,Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The contentious issue, which was regarded as a momentous turning point when it was adopted by the European Union in 2023, has been a hot topic at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich this week.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Second, the survey results reveal that transfer pricing arrangements continue to be regarded as the most complex aspect of corporate taxation.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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