Synonyms of spy

spy 1 of 2

noun

as in operative

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

• operative
• agent
• undercover
• mole
• undercover agent
• informer
• secret agent
• spook
• emissary
• asset
• intelligencer
• courier
• sleeper
• counterspy
• spymaster
• double agent
• infiltrator
• stool pigeon
• superspy

spy

2 of 2

verb

ˈspī 

as in to spot

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

• spot
• eye
• notice
• see
• regard
• view
• watch
• sight
• observe
• look (at)
• catch
• discern
• witness
• remark
• perceive
• distinguish
• descry
• espy
• note
• set eyes on
• behold
• get a load of
• identify
• lay eyes on
• pick out
• attend (to)
• inspect
• scan
• glimpse
• scrutinize
• make out
• study
• consider
• examine
• survey
• heed
• mark
• pick up
• glance (at)
• peer (at)
• mind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• pass over
• disregard
• neglect
• miss
• overlook
• overpass

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spy

Noun

Byunghun and Jimin will play the undercover spies. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026

Despite lots of law enforcement, the spy is shot and seriously injured in the first pages of this exciting plot, and Davenport cannot figure out how the shooter knew when and where the transfer would happen. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026

Verb

My job, bluntly, was to spy, but to do it in a way that wasn’t baldly obvious either. —Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026

Battle also alleges that Rojas asked him to spy for her by tracking when Dear’s girlfriend or wife would leave. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026