as in operatives
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
the government spy risked his life every day in the fight against global terrorism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in notices
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spies
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 4 June 2026
In the bulletin, the Five Eyes agencies said Chinese spies were particularly targeting those who specialized in defense, foreign affairs and intelligence, and military personnel, including those stationed in the Indo-Pacific region.
—CNN Money, 3 June 2026
And while it's designed to track enemy spies and terrorists, some lawmakers – including Republicans – say the communications of Americans can get swept up by the powerful surveillance tool, too.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Video games are home to many iconic spies, from Sam Fisher to Solid Snake, who have starred in many classic releases.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
The indictment also alleges that Cuba's intelligence agency tasked a network of spies in Florida with informing on Brothers to the Rescue.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The indictment says Cuban spies operating in South Florida penetrated exile organizations and gathered intelligence on Brothers to the Rescue flight plans and activities.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Despite the summer heat, the windows were often closed to keep out horseflies and the long ears of loyalist spies, so the air inside was stifling and pungent.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 May 2026
When Claire and Frank retreat to Inverness on holiday following the end of WWII, Frank spies the spectre of a Highlander staring up into Claire's window that abruptly vanishes.
—Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Alma peers through a keyhole and spies her mother (Susanne Wuest) standing before a candlelit shrine to the family’s dead.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
And when Clara spies her classmate Miller Adams (Mason Thames) along the roadside, and decides to give him a ride, the film introduces a next-generation complication-that-isn’t-really-one.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
When Leo first spies the orphaned Josie singing on a Boston street corner, he’s struck by her resemblance to the Pendleton family, his father’s former employers and the victims of great tragedy when their baby was kidnapped in 1880.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance warned that China was using LinkedIn and other social media platforms to recruit spies.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 4 June 2026
In the bulletin, the Five Eyes agencies said Chinese spies were particularly targeting those who specialized in defense, foreign affairs and intelligence, and military personnel, including those stationed in the Indo-Pacific region.
—CNN Money, 3 June 2026
And while it's designed to track enemy spies and terrorists, some lawmakers – including Republicans – say the communications of Americans can get swept up by the powerful surveillance tool, too.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Video games are home to many iconic spies, from Sam Fisher to Solid Snake, who have starred in many classic releases.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
The indictment also alleges that Cuba's intelligence agency tasked a network of spies in Florida with informing on Brothers to the Rescue.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The indictment says Cuban spies operating in South Florida penetrated exile organizations and gathered intelligence on Brothers to the Rescue flight plans and activities.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Despite the summer heat, the windows were often closed to keep out horseflies and the long ears of loyalist spies, so the air inside was stifling and pungent.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Verb
In the 8-episode sci-fi adventure series premiering May 21, residents of a retirement community in New Mexico join forces after its newest occupant, widow Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), spies a monstrous creature.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 May 2026
When Claire and Frank retreat to Inverness on holiday following the end of WWII, Frank spies the spectre of a Highlander staring up into Claire's window that abruptly vanishes.
—Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Alma peers through a keyhole and spies her mother (Susanne Wuest) standing before a candlelit shrine to the family’s dead.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
And when Clara spies her classmate Miller Adams (Mason Thames) along the roadside, and decides to give him a ride, the film introduces a next-generation complication-that-isn’t-really-one.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
When Leo first spies the orphaned Josie singing on a Boston street corner, he’s struck by her resemblance to the Pendleton family, his father’s former employers and the victims of great tragedy when their baby was kidnapped in 1880.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spies
Noun
-
To complete the task, Rachel needs to bring in a pair of expert extractors, Sid (Cavill) and Bronco (Gyllenhaal), and their team of covert operatives because Manny lives on an island guarded by a private army whose members are locked and loaded with high-tech weaponry.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
There should be no place in our politics for incompetent, opportunistic operatives who violate privacy, betray trust, and prioritize vengeance over decency.—
Jared Kofsky,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
In the clip, Pete runs up to the glass front door of Pooch Play and Stay and paces in front of the entry until a staffer notices him and lets him in, taking him back to the daycare area.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
-
Her smile in the fantasy is one of relief and clarity, which cuts so hard after watching the dread pile up before Leslie notices her.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condo deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.—
Jay Weaver
June 6,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
When agents searched Rush’s home, investigators found 303 gold bars valued at more than $40 million, approximately $2 million in cash, and more than 30 luxury Rolex watches.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In the Africa section, the zoo eyes a revamp of the hippo and crocodile habitats and at least one additional exhibit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday as the franchise eyes its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Eats Beat columnist Bud Kennedy covered a busy month of Fort Worth-area restaurant news in May, from beloved institutions closing to fresh brunch spots opening.—
Ryan J. Rusak,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
Illinois lawmakers voted to legalize sports betting, allowing a Chicago casino, slot machines at both city airports, casinos in the south suburbs, Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Williamson County, slot machines at horse racing tracks and spots betting at casinos and tracks.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
When her mother’s former gallerist reaches out with the offer of a show in exchange for the series’ completion, Indigo sees it as a financial lifeline—and in the face of her mother’s staunch refusal, decides to finish the series herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
In an episode filled with tragic endings for various characters, including Rue herself, Faye sees some kind of hope on the horizon.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spies. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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