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 noticing
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
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
The United States continues its spying activity in Northeast Asia amid China's military threat, as one of its unmanned aircraft was spotted flying near the East Asian power.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Israeli authorities have arrested an American-Israeli dual citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran, accusing him of sharing information on public figures and sending videos and pictures of locations across the country to his handlers.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Relying on other countries leaves Japan vulnerable to spying and sabotage, and China has laid tens of thousands of miles of cable around the world in the last decade.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Smart devices such as security cameras, thermostats and speakers can be taken over and used for spying or as part of larger cyberattacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Weil is currently adapting for United Artists and Conclave director Edward Berger the film about Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal‘s foreign correspondent who was thrown into a Russian prison for a year on bogus spying charges.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2025
President Jimmy Carter selected Webster, a Republican, for a 10-year term as FBI chief as the bureau sought to improve an image tarnished by revelations of domestic spying, internal corruption and other abuses of power.
—Douglass K. Daniel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
In addition to risking the franchise with spying activities, why would Nvidia want to bring harm to China in the first place?
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Depending on your age and foreign language ability, fulfilling your James Bond spy fantasies may not be very realistic—but spying for the British government just got more accessible.
—PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported, after the rights group Amnesty International said the man, Babak Shahbazi, had been sentenced to death in an unfair trial marred by allegations of torture.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
In a December 2023 Slate editorial, security researcher Bruce Schneier warned that AI models could enable unprecedented mass spying by automating the analysis and summarization of vast conversation datasets.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles and Jaden Robinson struggled to balance spying the mobile USF signal caller with upholding UF’s zone coverage on crossing routes.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
After spying the lipstick backstage at a Diotima show, senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden was instantly intrigued—even though mattes aren’t typically her cup of tea.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Jet-like capabilities The tank has radar, electronic tools for spying, and advanced communication systems.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
The United States continues its spying activity in Northeast Asia amid China's military threat, as one of its unmanned aircraft was spotted flying near the East Asian power.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Israeli authorities have arrested an American-Israeli dual citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran, accusing him of sharing information on public figures and sending videos and pictures of locations across the country to his handlers.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Relying on other countries leaves Japan vulnerable to spying and sabotage, and China has laid tens of thousands of miles of cable around the world in the last decade.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Smart devices such as security cameras, thermostats and speakers can be taken over and used for spying or as part of larger cyberattacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Weil is currently adapting for United Artists and Conclave director Edward Berger the film about Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal‘s foreign correspondent who was thrown into a Russian prison for a year on bogus spying charges.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2025
President Jimmy Carter selected Webster, a Republican, for a 10-year term as FBI chief as the bureau sought to improve an image tarnished by revelations of domestic spying, internal corruption and other abuses of power.
—Douglass K. Daniel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
In addition to risking the franchise with spying activities, why would Nvidia want to bring harm to China in the first place?
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dubai Reuters — An Iranian lower court handed heavy prison sentences to two French citizens charged with spying for France and Israel, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday, a week after Paris and Tehran indicated progress in talks to release them.
—CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Depending on your age and foreign language ability, fulfilling your James Bond spy fantasies may not be very realistic—but spying for the British government just got more accessible.
—PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported, after the rights group Amnesty International said the man, Babak Shahbazi, had been sentenced to death in an unfair trial marred by allegations of torture.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
In a December 2023 Slate editorial, security researcher Bruce Schneier warned that AI models could enable unprecedented mass spying by automating the analysis and summarization of vast conversation datasets.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles and Jaden Robinson struggled to balance spying the mobile USF signal caller with upholding UF’s zone coverage on crossing routes.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
After spying the lipstick backstage at a Diotima show, senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden was instantly intrigued—even though mattes aren’t typically her cup of tea.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spying
Noun
-
Elazar-Halevi’s fast-paced, live-action YA thriller blends espionage, romance, and coming-of-age drama set against the backdrops of major cities around the world.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The novel intertwines elements of espionage with philosophical explorations of human history, environmentalism, and the complexities of identity and manipulation.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nocturnal and largely solitary, brown hyenas are rarely seen, so van den Heever started to use a camera trap after noticing their tracks in the area.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
After noticing Atlas sometimes got upset when their dad dropped them off at school, Aveline began sneaking into his room each morning after Kay laid out his clothes.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Celebrity spotting at the football has become a pastime in itself.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
After spotting her, the deputy started to run.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The legend began after a series of bizarre and terrifying encounters in which settlers reported seeing the ghostly figure charging through the desert, sometimes trampling livestock or vanishing into the night.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Progressive Democratic New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani has a 21-point lead in the race to become mayor of New York City, with voters seeing him as the best choice to handle the city’s problems, according to a new Fox News poll.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The trade war flare-up sent the S&P 500 to its worst loss since April, and investors are eyeing a stock market rebound.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Martin is also eyeing roles in work created by other writers.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in November regarding presidential authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers, while removal cases involving FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook await resolution.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing, including a tax advisor and/or attorney.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elementary school students spent more time in front of the TV than in school, viewing thousands of commercials for sugary cereals, candies and fast foods every year.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
So, when viewing the Raiders’ expectations for running back Ashton Jeanty this season, Bowers is the right man to ask about carrying that load while getting acclimated to the NFL at the same time.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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