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
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Recent Examples of spying
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Privacy, inseparable from dignity in Islamic ethics, surfaces as a second red line; the Qurʾānic injunction against spying frames debates over data harvesting, data sharing, high-tech surveillance, etc.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 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
Two American citizens remain detained in Iran on suspicion of spying for Israel, state media said, although efforts are ongoing—externally and internally—to secure their release.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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
The revelations included instances of the CIA’s violating its charter with assassinations, coups, dirty tricks, human drug experimentation, and domestic spying, especially on opponents of Nixon’s war in Southeast Asia.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2020
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The abrupt rise in deportations and claims of Afghans spying attracted international condemnation.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 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
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
Privacy, inseparable from dignity in Islamic ethics, surfaces as a second red line; the Qurʾānic injunction against spying frames debates over data harvesting, data sharing, high-tech surveillance, etc.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 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
Two American citizens remain detained in Iran on suspicion of spying for Israel, state media said, although efforts are ongoing—externally and internally—to secure their release.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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
The revelations included instances of the CIA’s violating its charter with assassinations, coups, dirty tricks, human drug experimentation, and domestic spying, especially on opponents of Nixon’s war in Southeast Asia.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2020
Verb
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Pentagon has deployed unmanned aircraft for spying missions over the Black Sea, with one drone downed by a Russian fighter jet in March 2023.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The abrupt rise in deportations and claims of Afghans spying attracted international condemnation.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 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
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Kicking off the development slate are projects Skeleton Coast, a survival thriller to be written and directed by Marshall, and Blackout, an espionage piece to be written and directed by Duffield.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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This not only puts sensitive defense capabilities at risk of espionage but also directly endangers our service members.—
Michael Evanoff,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaders need to practice empathy by noticing when silence lingers in a meeting, when a camera remains off, or when fatigue from time zones takes its toll.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This was created after noticing that some new hires didn’t show up on their start date due to cold feet, second thoughts, or feeling another offer was safer.—
Roula Amire,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The centerpiece of its design is a cardinal, and living in the South, many of us have watched the trees for these beloved birds as an early sign of spring each year (especially for those in Virginia spotting their state bird).—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
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However, critics see it as rooting for the underdog running amok, spotting an academic Marxist concept used to limit a free society.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His reaction to seeing his name on topping a list of creators who influence a billion dollar industry?—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Corr appeared to have knowledge of the victims daily routines and would make comments about ‘seeing them soon’.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There also have been reports that Paramount is eyeing a purchase of The Free Press, the site launched by opinion columnist Bari Weiss, including a role at CBS News.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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More recently, SpaceX has been eyeing EchoStar's spectrum.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
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Back then, Julian said the area was practically devoid of anything regarding the cultural arts.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition, residents can check wave height predictions by viewing the NWS Great Lakes Portal, which updates wave heights, wind gusts and air temperature forecasts.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Tricky viewing in Europe From much of Europe, the total lunar eclipse will already be underway at moonrise.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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