1
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business
as we moved into our new home, we could sense that there were prying eyes watching us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business
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as in questioning
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1
as in pulling
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever
it took some effort to pry up the trap door
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2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
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as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prying
Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Adjective
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prying
Adjective
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Massive societal change, excess, expression, performance, bombast, fascinating technological progress—it’s all documented and on display, ready to educate any curious mind.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
The film further lifts the veil on the artist’s influence, as a variable smorgasbord of talent converges throughout to deconstruct the impact of his life, art, his curious process and disposition.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Webster said the thought was to fill storefronts closest to the busiest World Cup activities, likely in and around downtown, or within a mile of the streetcar line.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
In a busy warehouse, for instance, human workers and multiple robots performing different tasks—often from different vendors—need a unified system that ensures smooth collaboration, avoiding collisions and idle time.—
Florian Pestoni,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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After Mann returned to the stand, Aidala’s line of questioning took an odd turn.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
-
What’s next Tomorrow: Jane is expected to return to the stand for more questioning from prosecutors.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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While Gemini is curious, inquisitive and communicative, Virgo is preoccupied with the need for order, cohesion and productivity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
31 May 2025
-
Luke Breed: Beagle Age: 2 years Luke is a super smart and inquisitive dog with a gentle soul.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Seeing her fidget with the helmet during her interrogation and swinging the sword around with reckless abandon is all part of that.—
Alamin Yohannes,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
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In July 2024, Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and sent back to China after changing his story during an interrogation about red plant material discovered in his backpack, the FBI said.—
Ed White,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Academic Senate also passed a resolution urging the school administration to resist any intrusive government demands for reform.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
-
From Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses using live facial recognition to workplace monitoring software, AI has evolved beyond mere assistance into proactive—and intrusive—decision-making.—
Vivian Toh,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
We’re taught to prioritize action over inquiry, compliance over curiosity.—
Hunter McMahon,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Aside from the public inquiry, Crotzer says the film is taking them through prop houses and guitar shops as well.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The series centers on Italian American sports writer Ray Barone (Romano), living with his wife and kids in Long Island, who must deal with his overbearing and nosy parents who live across the street, as well as his older brother’s frequent jealousy of his success.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
14 June 2025
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The show premiered on Sept. 13, 1996, and starred comedian Ray Romano as an Italian sports columnist living in Long Island with his wife (played by Patricia Heaton) and their three kids, with his nosy parents just across the street.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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