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
Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025
Chard’s statements came shortly after insiders close to the Prince of Wales told The Times U.K. that there won’t be a role for Andrew given his controversial ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Some two weeks after Resilience's hard landing, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spied the lander's gravesite from its perch in orbit around the moon.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
Reporting from human intelligence assets – spies or unwitting informers with firsthand or secondhand knowledge – may provide information on internal Iranian assessments.
—Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025
Chard’s statements came shortly after insiders close to the Prince of Wales told The Times U.K. that there won’t be a role for Andrew given his controversial ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
Over the fence, folks can spy the cavernous stage and the scaffolding above for the technical crew still in place, and that sparks memories.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Some two weeks after Resilience's hard landing, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spied the lander's gravesite from its perch in orbit around the moon.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
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According to a 1996 Los Angeles Times piece, an 18th Street operative pitched his plan for taking over Orange County in a back alley in Cudahy, with two dozen associates in tow.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
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The Mossad, Israel’s equivalent of the CIA, had personnel in Iran ready for the launch of Operation Rising Lion, something that was revealed in unprecedented fashion when the agency released video of its operatives at work.—
Rachel Wolf , Yonat Friling,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Sydney Sweeney is head-to-toe in black as she is spotted in Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding on June 27.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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Companies that want to retain talent need to get better at spotting burnout early.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Six crew members and a gate agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were taken to the hospital Friday night after inhaling something, according to MEDIC.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
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In many cases, legacy systems can’t easily accommodate these autonomous agents without substantial reengineering.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Since then, the founders have been eyeing a big expansion in the United States.—
Simone Melvin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Heading into the holiday, the pic was eyeing a domestic opening in the $100 to $120 million range and $260 million globally.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Michael Fassbender stars as Martian, a CIA spy who’s recalled to London after years of living deep undercover in Ethiopia.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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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
Verb
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Sports fans may notice a difference in the race calls this season as longtime announcer Trevor Denman announced his retirement in March.—
Kelley Carlson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
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Spend a few moments taking some deep breaths, noticing where the movement happens.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
Noun
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And in 2019, my dermatologist discovered a small mole on my leg in the early stages of melanoma.—
Dave Knox,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Telehealth offers a glimmer of a solution, but as everyone who’s tried to show off a concerning mole to a doctor via a smartphone camera knows: Video technology can only get you so far.—
Christopher Null,
Wired News,
19 June 2025
Verb
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And club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is first on the list of those the club would like to see leave before the end of the transfer window.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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Lorde keeps it casual in New York as she is seen outside of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on June 24.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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