as in operative
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
the government spy risked his life every day in the fight against global terrorism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to spot
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spy
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Russia has launched several mysterious satellites into orbits shadowing the US government’s most advanced spy satellites.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
CBS News, 12 May 2026
Tusk’s party says Law and Justice used Pegasus to spy illegally on political opponents while in power.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
Despite the summer heat, the windows were often closed to keep out horseflies and the long ears of loyalist spies, so the air inside was stifling and pungent.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Russia has launched several mysterious satellites into orbits shadowing the US government’s most advanced spy satellites.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Verb
On Monday, Iran hanged a man convicted of allegedly spying for the CIA and Israel's Mossad intelligence service.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
Tusk’s party says Law and Justice used Pegasus to spy illegally on political opponents while in power.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
-
Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González star in the film about a team of elite operatives on an impossible mission.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Republican Kandiss Taylor has filed to run for the seat, but her past political runs have led operatives to rule her out as a serious candidate.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Soon, survey crews showed up, bulldozers were spotted along dusty roads, and the Army Corps of Engineers arranged private meetings.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Neapolitan pizza is characterized by a round, soft dough with a very thin center and a high, airy crust spotted with bits of char.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The debate also reflected the broader political moment, with several candidates positioning themselves either as defenders of California’s current direction or as agents of course correction on public safety, cost of living, and trust in government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Though many people come to far West Texas for its isolation—the Unabomber’s slightly less reclusive brother did a stint here in the eighties, living at first in a crude underground shelter—Miller said that immigration-enforcement agents have been an intrusive presence for many years.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Simple and streamlined, this linen tank top is one of the most versatile additions to any travel wardrobe—I’m even eyeing it in a few different colors, given its affordable price tag.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Altman’s OpenAI, which Musk helped start in 2015 before a contentious split that led to the eventual lawsuit, is valued at more than $850 billion and is eyeing a possible market debut later this year.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The Agency‘s second season will continue following Martian, a CIA agent living undercover in his own life.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
-
Nathan Richman: What was the best cover one of your undercovers had?—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an inversion of the more common critical reception of an emerging artist, this new writer’s poetry was often noticed but seldom admired, notwithstanding the Daily Mirror’s snide enthusiasm.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The biggest change many Coloradans will notice is the temperature.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Six moles are served throughout the night, including for dessert.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
There are a few possibilities for non-gopher holes, including the Norway rat, voles, moles, rabbits, ground squirrels and snakes, which don’t dig their own underground burrows but take over old tunnels and improve upon them.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The backstory South America’s largest city sprawls as far as the eye can see with towers and highways, which explains how this part of town (not the most central) has become a hub for meetings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
