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
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Recent Examples of spy
Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Helly’s life, acting as a spy to gather intelligence against the Microdat revolutionaries.
—Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to spy fireworks of light radiating near the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
Watch On The Ariane 6 had been scheduled to launch a French spy satellite from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana today at 11:24 a.m.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Helly’s life, acting as a spy to gather intelligence against the Microdat revolutionaries.
—Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Minutes before, a camera had spied a Tom Cruise movie playing on a TV mounted to the lobby wall.
—Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to spy fireworks of light radiating near the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
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Elements of her can be found on Lioness in Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara, a CIA operative trying to save the world from the swarthy — terrorists in Season One, Mexican cartels in Season Two — while raising two girls.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
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Weighing just 157g, the headset is light enough for call center operatives to wear it for a full eight-hour working day.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Case in point: Last night (March 16), Rihanna was spotted at Rolling Loud in L.A. wearing a contrasting combo.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2025
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The tech giant is frequently spotted on the South Lawn with the leader and highlighted unique Tesla features next to Trump with three cars parked at the White House on Tuesday, which caused some to question the event’s ethical standing.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Challenges & Considerations Adopting AI agents for data solutions comes with important challenges that businesses must address: Security Risks: Granting AI agents broad access to data systems introduces new security vulnerabilities.—
Suri Nuthalapati,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Tipping agent The reason the market is in a tizzy is that the tariffs could be the agent that tips the economy from a modest slowdown into a recession.—
Bob Pisani,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The 31-year-old PGA Tour pro is teeing off at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, eyeing the $20 million purse.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The House passed a resolution last month, but its fate now rests with the Senate, which is eyeing significant changes.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Want to see what else is up for grabs during Wayfair’s undercover Kelly Clarkson Home sale?—
Shea Simmons,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Confidential Rental and Leasing Office, created under former Commissioner Ray Kelly, has an important core purpose: to give investigators, including undercovers, a way to procure and use a range of vehicles that don’t automatically give them away, which standard unmarked cop cars tend to do.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Over time, Fineman noticed that Peach was growing more lethargic, agitated, and itchy, which interrupted the peace of his beloved routine.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas keeps a tally of layoff notices.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There, under dim amber lighting, George laces the food with lip-loosening drugs and waits for the mole to drop a clue.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2025
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Lopez expanded the family’s brand to include an entire line of pantry products like mole starters, masa harina, chocolate and heirloom black beans.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Seattle saw some of Darnold’s best work up close in Minnesota’s Week 16 win at Lumen Field.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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Houston, which used just three reserves the majority of the night before emptying its bench in the final minutes, saw its bench total 25.—
Jason Beede,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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