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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in questioning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Verb
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
-
But there is a curious asterisk to this part of the story: As the original plane returns to Washington, another red Vega waits in relative obscurity.—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 July 2025
-
At $55, this is boundary-pushing whisky for the curious drinker who wants something beyond the usual suspects.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Horton said summer is always the busiest, with the program planning several events each month to combat the rise in homicides and violent crimes as the weather warms.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
23 July 2025
-
Ever since then, it’s been sitting on the shore, beached like a shipwreck, just feet from a busy highway.—
John Carlisle,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Taylor Advising said its questioning for community feedback will help shape that identity.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
-
That can include a pat-down, luggage search or extra questioning by TSA officers.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
What Gunn might not have been prepared for is Corenswet’s inquisitive nature.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
20 July 2025
-
Thinking about what Jane would do meant to be thoughtful, inquisitive, inclusive, and leave a positive impact on the people around you.—
Abby Roedel,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
The interrogation scene in the first movie, between Rey and Kylo, was so incredibly powerful.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
12 July 2025
-
Even for the most loyal fan, no soccer match is worth risking detention, interrogation, family separation and deportation.—
Minky Worden,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The federal government is intrusive, demanding, too opaque to most Americans and very, very expensive to operate.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
20 July 2025
-
Others argue that the board functions as a group and should be assessed as such. Consider, too, that individual evaluations are inevitably both hugely time-consuming and intrusive.—
Priya Cherian Huskins,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
But over the past five years he’s been considerably more hazy about the release of the Epstein tapes, waving off any inquiries about their whereabouts.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
22 July 2025
-
From spiritual inquiry to scientific rigor, from grassroots empowerment to global advocacy, Seva reflects a belief that sustainable health solutions positively transform the whole person and their community.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lucky for him, Lizzy is the only person in his sightline and, even more conveniently, not a single one of her friends, nor her nosy, meddling mother, follows her even one step outside the church when Lizzy stops short of entering and asks for a minute.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
-
For Love Island fans who aren’t caught up, as well as anyone else who’s nosy by nature (hi), here’s the TL;DR on Cierra’s shocking Love Island USA departure.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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