as in espionage
the secret gathering of information on others
traditionally, anyone caught engaging in spying during wartime was shot or hanged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in spotting
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 spying
Frank Andrews, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Joani Reid, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s governing Labor Party, issued a statement indicating that her husband was among three unnamed individuals British police arrested this week on suspicion of spying for China.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
Liu hasn't ruled out seeing her life, and experience in an international spying incident, adapted into a movie.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Alysa and Arthur Liu have been targets of Beijing harassment and spying, the father has said.
—Griffin Eckstein, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Turkey arrests 6 suspected of spying ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities have arrested six people, including an Iranian national, on suspicion of spying for Iran, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
He is best known for leading Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency — tasked with spying for the government — for four years until 2017, stepping down after he was suspended and later sacked by Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 28 Nov. 2025
The arms sale has raised intelligence concerns that China could gather information about the plane's technology through spying or its military ties with Saudi Arabia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Arthur and Alysa were targeted at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in a spying operation that the US Justice Department alleges was ordered by the Chinese government.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Feb. 2026
The spying operation was unusually vast and allowed the hackers to hoover up sensitive information in apparent coordination with geopolitical events, such as diplomatic missions, trade negotiations, political unrest and military actions, according to the report.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The soaring golden orbs may have fooled my eager spying eyes a few times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources exclusively told CNN.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
And don’t forget spying whale spouts from the coastal cliffs, sans guardrails!
—Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Noun
Four men were arrested in London on Friday on suspicion of spying for Iran, according to the Metropolitan Police.
—Frank Andrews, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Joani Reid, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s governing Labor Party, issued a statement indicating that her husband was among three unnamed individuals British police arrested this week on suspicion of spying for China.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
Liu hasn't ruled out seeing her life, and experience in an international spying incident, adapted into a movie.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Alysa and Arthur Liu have been targets of Beijing harassment and spying, the father has said.
—Griffin Eckstein, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Turkey arrests 6 suspected of spying ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities have arrested six people, including an Iranian national, on suspicion of spying for Iran, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
He is best known for leading Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency — tasked with spying for the government — for four years until 2017, stepping down after he was suspended and later sacked by Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 28 Nov. 2025
The arms sale has raised intelligence concerns that China could gather information about the plane's technology through spying or its military ties with Saudi Arabia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
But there is little doubt, officials and experts say, that spying efforts are intensifying as the world’s two dominant superpowers, the United States and China, battle for superiority across economic, technological, military and ideological fronts.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Arthur and Alysa were targeted at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in a spying operation that the US Justice Department alleges was ordered by the Chinese government.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Feb. 2026
The spying operation was unusually vast and allowed the hackers to hoover up sensitive information in apparent coordination with geopolitical events, such as diplomatic missions, trade negotiations, political unrest and military actions, according to the report.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The soaring golden orbs may have fooled my eager spying eyes a few times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources exclusively told CNN.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
And don’t forget spying whale spouts from the coastal cliffs, sans guardrails!
—Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spying
Noun
-
But after six weeks of conversations, Gavalas was increasingly mentally dependent on Gemini, becoming entangled in an elaborate conspiracy involving federal agents, international espionage, and heist missions.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The officer, who was stationed in Argentina’s central province of Mendoza at the time, was arrested on charges of espionage, according to Argentina’s Foreign Ministry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Set in East Anglia, Lovejoy is about a charismatic antiques dealer with an almost mystical knack for spotting genuine artefacts and scams.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Schofield gained international recognition for a late ’80s jeans commercial that had her speeding through the desert in a black Ferrari, then screeching to a stop after spotting a strapping young man standing on the side of the road in jeans and a white T-shirt.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Linas, a runner, started the Creek Team OC Instagram account after noticing changes on his runs along San Juan and Trabuco creeks, where lush green reeds suddenly turned brown and lifeless.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hadel proceeds to handcuff Brown behind his back before noticing wounds on his head producing a steady stream of blood onto the road below.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Indian airlines are also seeing cost escalations due to restriction on use of airspace over Gulf countries.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Try setting a timer for yourself and seeing how much you can get done in quick bursts (with breaks in between, of course).—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Quentin Tarantino‘s debut play is eyeing an early 2027 London launch, potentially in the West End.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Despite Philly eyeing a move up the East’s playoff standings, the Hawks were better in the minutes that mattered down the stretch.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The community has experienced decades of disinvestment and broken promises regarding urban renewal projects and safety improvements.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Back in January, Brooklyn shared a lengthy statement regarding his relationship with his family.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the technology has the potential to radically transform society, with some leaders viewing it as a cure-all that could boost productivity, bolster innovation, and even cure cancer, the very scale of that transformation has also made many Americans wary of its potential.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Throughout a media viewing period that lasted approximately 35 minutes, Manning didn’t do much — if anything — besides encourage his teammates.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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