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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spies
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
According to the ministry, foreign spies are infiltrating everything from mapping apps to weather stations.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 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
Having played British spies, lords, WWII fighters pilots and even wrestlers, Jack Lowden has now taken on his most contemporary role to date.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Remember the spies, Boris and Natasha?
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Xi’s brand of resentful nationalism, meanwhile, comes with a strong anti-American streak, and security apparatchiks see CIA spies everywhere.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The furry white marsupials, which waddle back into remote areas — places where humans would not otherwise set foot — are almost like spies penetrating the secret lives of pythons.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
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
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
According to the ministry, foreign spies are infiltrating everything from mapping apps to weather stations.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 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
Having played British spies, lords, WWII fighters pilots and even wrestlers, Jack Lowden has now taken on his most contemporary role to date.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Remember the spies, Boris and Natasha?
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Xi’s brand of resentful nationalism, meanwhile, comes with a strong anti-American streak, and security apparatchiks see CIA spies everywhere.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The furry white marsupials, which waddle back into remote areas — places where humans would not otherwise set foot — are almost like spies penetrating the secret lives of pythons.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
-
There are few places on Earth where the Israeli intelligence operatives know more about than the internal dynamics of Iran.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
-
The arrest of two Israeli air force personnel on allegations of espionage has underscored Iran’s expanding efforts to penetrate Israel’s military by recruiting operatives from within.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
But Tova notices that Marcellus has left something behind, the ring.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
The tracker, which reflects information listed in the filings themselves, shows the latest mass layoff notices companies in the United States reported to state governments.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Our senators aren’t listening to us Few things in life are worse than listening to endless hold music when connecting to live customer service agents at your bank, utility, or airline.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
Kerr had been meeting with media agents, Front Office Sports reported the week after the season ended, signaling a sign that the coach might return to broadcasting.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
As Kamala Harris eyes a possible 2028 presidential bid, there is little outward enthusiasm among her biggest 2024 backers to fund a repeat performance, adding to uncertainty about the former vice president’s prospects in what is sure to be a crowded primary field.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Microsoft still retains its equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit company, as that company eyes a possible IPO later this year.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What begins as a small con deepens when the painter’s shrewd agent (Gilles Lellouche) spots an opportunity, encouraging Suzanne to continue the deception as a way to revive his client’s creativity — and bankroll them both.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
His company runs a network of after school learning centers where an adaptive AI tutoring system spots those cracks and customizes lessons in real time based on how each student responds.—
TIME Contributors,
Time,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just as the Mayor himself has become a figure who transcends city politics, Richards sees the task ahead as one that will have wider implications.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
In addition to expanding the denim and T-shirt offerings, Sung sees opportunities to expand footwear and accessories.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spies. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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