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
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Kaarsbo—who had spent fifteen years working alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan—was not too concerned about professional spies.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
In 1977, two women living in the United States Embassy in Moscow become unlikely spies.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
Both groups were accused of being spies, traitors and collaborators, according to the report.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026
In Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s The Finding of Moses, a dog spies a young girl whose presence unlocks the painting’s meaning.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
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
Noun
Big tech and corporate spies Grady’s stewardship of state money has been questioned in the past.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Kaarsbo—who had spent fifteen years working alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan—was not too concerned about professional spies.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
In 1977, two women living in the United States Embassy in Moscow become unlikely spies.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
Both groups were accused of being spies, traitors and collaborators, according to the report.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
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
Verb
Late one night, Clark spies what appears to be a sliver of light coming through a crack in the wall of the store’s basement.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026
In Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s The Finding of Moses, a dog spies a young girl whose presence unlocks the painting’s meaning.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
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
-
That same year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain, with Russian operatives as the prime suspects.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Reporting showed political operatives with ties to FPL helped orchestrate the scheme.—
Nate Monroe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Your analytical nature notices quiet details that tell you exactly what to release.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
When the plumbing works, nobody notices.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents and base personnel tracked two suspects while ordering residents to shelter in place, then discovered 51 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl inside the deserted vehicle.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Melissa Bridgeford, the cofounder and CEO of Wizard Commerce, which makes AI shopping agents, said that even for product discovery, existing AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT often fall short.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
13 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
-
Who spots problems early, manages risk quietly, and improves workflows so that breakdowns don’t happen?—
Paula Davis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
As times changed, celebrities found other places to visit while in town, notably other South Beach and Miami spots like Prime 112, Carbone, Gekko and Papi Steak.—
Connie Ogle
June 10,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal sees Higher Ground work with Disney arm Disney Kids & Family, which has just been rebranded from Disney Branded Television.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spies. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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