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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spy
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Jensen Ackles' crime drama Countdown and Daniel Dae Kim's spy thriller Butterfly have both been canceled at Prime Video after just one season.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the hotel’s sleek, 1930s-style duplexes, which have views of the Chanel atelier, had sometimes been booked by fashion bloggers hoping to spy—but no longer.
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
An unidentified drone was spotted flying over an airbase in Geilenkirchen, Germany, where NATO spy planes are stationed.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Jensen Ackles' crime drama Countdown and Daniel Dae Kim's spy thriller Butterfly have both been canceled at Prime Video after just one season.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
In a December 2023 Slate editorial, security researcher Bruce Schneier warned that AI models could enable unprecedented mass spying by automating the analysis and summarization of vast conversation datasets.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the hotel’s sleek, 1930s-style duplexes, which have views of the Chanel atelier, had sometimes been booked by fashion bloggers hoping to spy—but no longer.
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
-
The president revoked Bolton’s Secret Service detail earlier this year, even as Iranian operatives remained under an indictment for plotting to assassinate him.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
-
On Monday, dozens of Hamas operatives were seen at a hospital in southern Gaza during the release of Israeli hostages.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In recent weeks, each of the actresses has been spotted out in the Goldilocks of jackets — that is, styles that are not too long and not too short.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In August, she was spotted vacationing in a bikini alongside her man, Van Hunt.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Two of Beane’s top free-agent signings, defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, are returning from six-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Secret Service agents, immigration and border officers, airport security screeners, Coast Guard personnel, and Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency workers remain on the job.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Investors are eyeing a stock market rebound after Friday’s trade war flare-up sent the S&P 500 to its worst loss since April.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
If the Phillies end up losing Schwarber to free agency, bringing in an All-Star like Tucker long term would be a great addition as the team eyes a return to the playoffs next season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Four other agents accompanied me, all also operating undercover.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Season 2 of the hit Paramount+ series will continue following Martian (Michael Fassbender), a CIA agent living undercover in his own life.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Shout out to @CamInman who noticed the 49ers had just 10 defenders (three linemen) on the play on which Fred Warner was injured.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Other rockers are starting to notice this positive trend, and theorize about why the kids are connecting so hard with bands who aren’t remotely humanized.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tia’s serves the Sotelo family’s legacy enchiladas, chicken mole and carne guisada in a 130-year-old historic home.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Then browse Fante’s Kitchen Shop (a century-old cook’s paradise), tuck into tortillas and moles at Blue Corn, or join the line for Cristina Martinez’s South Philly Barbacoa—her James Beard Award proves the wait is worth it.—
Regan Stephens,
AFAR Media,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He has not been seen in public since March, but the investigation of his activities had not previously been disclosed by Chinese authorities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
-
More than 60% of European companies cite regulation as an obstacle to investment, and most see it as their biggest challenge overall.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share