as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espies
Verb
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Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026 -
If the bear is sitting at a distance, feeding or walking by and notices you but continues its natural behavior, do not take any action.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Major medical groups generally support gender-affirming care for children with ongoing gender dysphoria – distress caused by the difference between a person’s internal sense of gender and the way the world sees them.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
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Cegielski also sees those retailers that offer the best value and discounts as being most aggressive in rolling out new stores.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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As Kamala Harris eyes a possible 2028 presidential bid, there is little outward enthusiasm among her biggest 2024 backers to fund a repeat performance, adding to uncertainty about the former vice president’s prospects in what is sure to be a crowded primary field.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Microsoft still retains its equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit company, as that company eyes a possible IPO later this year.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What begins as a small con deepens when the painter’s shrewd agent (Gilles Lellouche) spots an opportunity, encouraging Suzanne to continue the deception as a way to revive his client’s creativity — and bankroll them both.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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His company runs a network of after school learning centers where an adaptive AI tutoring system spots those cracks and customizes lessons in real time based on how each student responds.—
TIME Contributors,
Time,
29 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Espies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espies. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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