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
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Recent Examples of spying
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
But the line between collaborating for lawful national security purposes versus unlawful domestic spying is becoming dangerously blurred or ignored.
—Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Part of the problem is that world governments, which are in the best position to do something about cybersecurity, also exploit software vulnerabilities for spying and other national security purposes.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Arrested on suspicion of spying, they were released from prison in Iran in November.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
John offers to marry Claire to protect her when the British Army wants to arrest her for spying.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
Mizan also reported that Iran executed a man on charges of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Mizan also reported that Iran executed a man on charges of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Two spying buses passed me and took pictures of my car, resulting in my receiving two citations costing me $100.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
But the company continues to face accusations that its products pose a spying threat that China could leverage.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
But the line between collaborating for lawful national security purposes versus unlawful domestic spying is becoming dangerously blurred or ignored.
—Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Part of the problem is that world governments, which are in the best position to do something about cybersecurity, also exploit software vulnerabilities for spying and other national security purposes.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Arrested on suspicion of spying, they were released from prison in Iran in November.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
Kohler and Paris were accused of spying for France and Israel and sentenced to lengthy prison terms in October 2025.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
John offers to marry Claire to protect her when the British Army wants to arrest her for spying.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
Mizan also reported that Iran executed a man on charges of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Mizan also reported that Iran executed a man on charges of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Two spying buses passed me and took pictures of my car, resulting in my receiving two citations costing me $100.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spying
Noun
-
Such intrigue and espionage often becomes a conversation on broadcasts or online.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Anderson recently helmed espionage thriller Beirut, penned by Tony Gilroy and starring Jon Hamm, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as the crime thriller, The Silent Hour, starring Joel Kinnaman, and Worldbreaker with Luke Evans and Milla Jovovich.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Brianna, spotting her former boyfriend, Duncan (Ben Marshall), attempted to brush off the awkward encounter.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
Scott recalled sitting in the waiting room and spotting a producer from the earlier film nearby, prompting him to try to avoid being recognized.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
And without really noticing it, the urgency that once existed at the beginning of your search quietly fades away.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
-
After noticing that one of the items purchased was the entire Lip Critic discography on Bandcamp, Kaser was later confronted by the fan at one of their shows, who claimed to have decoded hidden messages in their music.—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Dozens of armed federal agents and LAPD officers were seeing raiding several storefronts near the Alvarado corridor on Wednesday afternoon.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Correa was on crutches and in a walking boot Wednesday morning at the ballpark after seeing a foot specialist.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The vast acreage of the Newport Beach Golf Course has the city eyeing it for help meeting housing needs, a developer interested in building a surf park and golfers wanting to preserve an affordable option for their recreation.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
For Thomas, the first step is eyeing the board members who backed the plan.—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
And yes, many object to what the church teaches regarding women’s health and place in a family.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Secretary of the Commission Commodity Futures Trading Commission, regarding prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket, and their impact on the NBA.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Viall has made his show essential listening (and viewing) for completionist reality fans.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
-
These ranged from fan-zone activations and the Amex Racing Club—complete with multiple beauty-refresh stations and massage chairs—to a prime trackside viewing lounge located near the first turn.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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