as in spotted
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I spy a motel off in the distance, so let's spend the night there
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spied
In concert with the premature switching off of sets, Bills fans were spied filing out of Highmark Stadium shortly after Henry seemingly put the game out of reach.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied
Verb
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Researchers from the Center for Whale Research, SeaDoc Society and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance confirmed the female calf was deceased, with its umbilical cord still attached when spotted in Rosario Strait near the San Juan Islands.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Jennifer Garner is spotted filming her upcoming Peacock series, The Five-Star Weekend while on location in Nantucket.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But in recent years, psychologists, sociologists and concerned parents alike have noticed a growing number of young adults who seem caught in this adolescent quicksand — unable or unwilling to take the next step into adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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People in neighborhood are afraid, candidates say The Republican candidate seeking Hortman’s seat, real estate agent Ruth Bittner, noticed early in her campaign that people in the neighborhood where Hortman was killed seemed afraid to open their doors.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The trees were cut down, sawed in half, hollowed out and tied back together for the musicians to use.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Democrats nationwide have eyed similar efforts to counteract the opposition’s efforts to further tilt the balance of power in the lower chamber.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Spector then eyed the camera directly and dramatically took a sip of a drink.—
Judy Kurtz,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The quiet schism in sports over whether to acknowledge Kirk as an important figure cut down in a senseless murder may reflect today’s uneasy balance between conservative power and the norms of what are often regarded as apolitical spaces, particularly by conservatives themselves.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
16 Sep. 2025
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Furthermore, Regulus is regarded as one of the brightest stars visible to Earth.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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