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

Last year, Ken McCallum, MI5’s director-general, said Chinese spies poseda daily national security threat, and were creating fake job adverts to try to lure British professionals into handing over information. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

The job included planning intelligence and sabotage missions from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and running spy networks across the entire region, from capitals like Prague, Bucharest, and Tirana to mountains in Greece and Yugoslavia. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations. — CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

To the north of the fire, between a forest and a small dirt road, Olstead spied a green field—the jump spot. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026