surveillance

noun

sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
Definition of surveillancenext
1
as in stewardship
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control a neutral country charged with the surveillance of the post-war rebuilding effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Americans have a strong distaste for government surveillance, Stanley said. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026 Investigator Dan Van Lanen of the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department said in the report that content from a video surveillance system inside Jacobs’ garage corroborates the altercation the woman described. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Some groups have raised concern that people who attend political protests or rallies could be subject to surveillance. — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026 Police are combing through surveillance videos to try to determine the identity of the individuals, KTLA 5 reported. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surveillance
  1. stewardship
  2. watch
  3. supervision
  4. lookout
  5. oversight
  6. management
  7. control
  8. policing
Noun
  • His ballpark and facilities fell into disrepair, a situation that may be remedied under the stewardship of new owner Stan Kroenke, who entered an agreement to purchase the team this week at a $4 billion valuation.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The congressional inquiry comes as Bass faces a tough reelection fight against Councilmember Nithya Raman, who has been sharply critical of Bass’ stewardship on homelessness.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham have been an exhilarating watch across the early weeks of the Premier League season, but the free-flowing attacking football at Craven Cottage has come at a cost.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Outside of the typical watch parties at local bars, there are several events across town for Monday Night Football.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • Laws also vary by state on when children can be left without adult supervision.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • His first 12 came under the supervision of a coach who was, to put it as gently as possible, somewhat distracted from his job.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • The couple hires Caleb as a lookout and braves his sullen outbursts, learning more about the lonely, angry youth as the murders draw nearer.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
  • At 441 feet high, the lookout is the highest point of elevation in the area, meaning a bird’s eye view of the forest’s colorful canopy.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of lookout
Noun
  • Her conviction has reignited a debate over how much freedom kids should have and how much government oversight is appropriate in parenting.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Rodman appeared to laugh off the oversight, heading to training hours later and continuing her high-profile support of her boyfriend.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of oversight
Noun
  • The third-year head coach learned from his team management mistakes from a 3-9 season that ended with eight consecutive losses.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Recently, bond traders and asset management firms from London and Sydney to Singapore have begun noticing a shift in Japanese capital flows.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • The tight ends can get back to blurring the run and the pass, with Stafford at the controls and Kyren Williams and Corum wearing defenses down between the tackles.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • American anti-immigrant politics consequently differs from the European version, remaining more closely bound to the Monroe Doctrine and its vision of hemispheric control.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Much has shifted in American politics, culture, sports and policing since 2016.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The University of Cincinnati contributes over $1 million annually to fund enhanced policing in surrounding neighborhoods.
    — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of policing

Browse Nearby Words

surveil
surveillance
surveillances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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