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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spied
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
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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This weekend’s Chiefs game — which ended in the Kansas City team defeating the Ravens 37-20 — marked the second match-up Swift has attended this season without being spotted by the usual horde of fans and cameras that used to flock to her on game days.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
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In recent weeks the new design has been spotted on a cadre of house ambassadors that includes Blackpink‘s Jennie Kim, American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, Kristen Stewart and Marion Cotillard.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dark skies With the fire burning, Blossom of Medstar, noticed the morning's sun disappeared.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Hiro noticed Kerr had a big one on his right ear and a smaller one on his left ear.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
4 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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Shortly after Dickies Arena opened in 2019, organizers eyed hosting a potential Dallas Mavericks preseason game.—
Mac Engel
October 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
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The brown eyed, curly-haired child is playing with Play-Doh in the family photograph.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tesla is still regarded by the Chinese as a premium brand, and its Model 3, at around $33,000, is pricier than comparable Chinese makes such as the Xiaomi SU7 sedan at $30,400.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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First-base coach Paco Figueroa is highly regarded within the organization.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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