surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl 

surveilled; surveilling

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The passport renewal process can also be used to intimidate or surveil activists and ordinary people. — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026

Anyone with spare time could surveil a harbor or the airspace above a military base and sell updates on flights, ships, and the movements of troops. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

The two companies provide staff for detention centers, beds to house them, and ankle monitors to surveil those out on bond awaiting their hearings. — Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

There have been reports of police misuse of the technology, including those accused of searching the database to surveil their intimate partners or exes. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surveil

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email