Definition of surveillancenext
1
2
as in watch
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity government surveillance of suspected terrorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surveillance The series is set in a world under constant surveillance, in which a troubled war veteran and an idealistic Europol agent form an unlikely duo to unravel a tech conspiracy threatening Europe and the foundations of reality, the logline runs. — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 On Saturday, around seven masked robbers shut off the alarms and surveillance cameras surrounding one of Marchesi Antinori’s cellars in Cortona. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The moments leading up to the shooting were captured on NYPD surveillance cameras, Tisch said. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 She was subsequently seen on surveillance footage walking through a Publix parking lot on Old Cherokee Road. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surveillance
Noun
  • During the 2024-2025 cotton growing season, BCI Program partners led water stewardship training sessions, reaching around 690,000 farmers and 175,000 workers, which includes 65,000 women farmers and 77,000 women workers.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In Ghana, for instance, the ten shrines of the Asante Traditional Buildings are endangered as traditional stewardship by master craftspeople declines.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Parts of the panhandle are now under a hurricane watch or tropical storm watch, and up to 5 feet of storm surge is expected to lash the coast.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Separate Fortune reporting found young shoppers flaunting luxury watches on TikTok and Instagram.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • They were released under judicial supervision and barred from leaving France.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Hartbower had an outstanding felony arrest warrant on an assault charge out of Yuba City, in neighboring Sutter County, and was on post-release community supervision in Yuba County, police said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sherod acted as a lookout and parked a separate vehicle nearby, according to court documents.
    — CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There, Pike and Shipp violently tortured Slemmer before killing her, while Peterson acted as lookout.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The measure would remain in effect until voters end it and would include independent audits, public spending disclosures and a three-member citizen oversight committee.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • AEPi staff and volunteers provide the same oversight and support to chapters whether or not their universities recognize them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • While some financial advisors have asset minimums, others may charge one-time, hourly or monthly fees rather than a percentage for assets under management.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That’s because bank stocks are particularly difficult to forecast, given that their performance depends heavily on macro factors rather than information that management might have about the company.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Badly injured, Captain Machchhar somehow opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower al-Hammami, and two off-duty pilots to take control of the plane and land it in Saudi Arabia.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In recent years, business has also benefited from factors outside the company’s control, like a country music resurgence boosting the sale of acoustic guitars and Taylor Swift inspiring more young women to take up the instrument.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Interrogator centers on former MI6 agent Conrad Henry and his team of outsider geniuses, who are brought in to solve cases after conventional policing and security hasn’t worked.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • More than two weeks of class boycotts and school blockades, and policing that has led to more than 6,100 arrests, mostly of minors, have become a flashpoint in the early days of the presidential election campaign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surveillance. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster