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 The surveillance video recovered Wednesday then eventually led to the grim discovery. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026 The steady, gliding images, part surveillance, part concern, suggest a de-evolution. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 Cuteness can also obscure the invasive potential of AI agents, soften how users perceive risks such as extensive data collection and surveillance, and distract people into allowing agents to act on their behalf without clear consent. — Ankolika De, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026 Two decades after it was released, in our own season of Palantir surveillance and algorithmic propaganda, omnipresent flock cameras and public executions performed by ICE, V for Vendetta is uncomfortably familiar. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 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
  • Parks Project has donated more than $14,000 to Friends of Acadia, the nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting stewardship of the park and its surrounding communities.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That person will take over a building that has grown in profile over the past 40 years, thanks to Robinson’s stewardship.
    — Web Behrens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Supporters gather at watch parties At Rodriguez’ watch party, the crowded room was full of union members from Unite Here Local 355.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of staging a watch party Tuesday night, Elleson and his wife, Sue, visited seriously ill people in Chicago-area hospitals.
    — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • The intervention group halted their blood sugar and blood pressure medications under medical supervision and began an intensive 800- to 900-calorie daily diet.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • After fine-tuning, the resulting model applied similar reasoning to human supervision.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • The popular lookout had the highest count of vehicle burglaries among parks in five of the six years analyzed.
    — Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said the group was found on the Sierra Buttes, just south of a lookout tower near the mountain’s summit.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of lookout
Noun
  • Practical limits on the oversight powers of a Democratic Congress already have some leaders thinking of other, coercive means of using congressional power to exact accountability.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Projects require careful oversight, and communities deserve a voice in how investments are made.
    — H. Russell Frisby, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of oversight
Noun
  • The competition offered a demanding test of the robot’s mobility, balance, and thermal management systems.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Pharmacy benefit management businesses work on the backend, negotiating directly with drugmakers on the cost of prescription drugs.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • The surrounding gate offers tighter control over current flow, helping address the challenges of further transistor scaling.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Segalovitz’s policing background is well-known and respected among Ra’am supporters.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • First, rising violent crime in the Arab community – seen as the result of negligent policing.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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