as in espionage
the secret gathering of information on others
traditionally, anyone caught engaging in spying during wartime was shot or hanged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in spotting
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
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Recent Examples of spying
Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning about a growing cyber threat that turns everyday QR codes into spying tools.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
London - Despite fears of Chinese spying and hacking, the British government gave the go-ahead Tuesday for China to build a massive new embassy in the heart of London.
—Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Kovrig and Spavor, who were accused of spying, spent almost three years in Chinese detention before being released in 2021, hours after Meng made a deal with the Justice Department.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
He is best known for leading Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency — tasked with spying for the government — for four years until 2017, stepping down after he was suspended and later sacked by Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Having unwittingly helped the powers that be further their flying-monkey spying program, Elphaba — powerful, misunderstood, knows how to rock a pointy hat — has stolen the spell book known as the Grimmerie and declared war on the con artist known as Wizard.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The sale has also raised intelligence concerns that China could gather information about the plane's technology through spying or its military ties with Saudi Arabia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The soaring golden orbs may have fooled my eager spying eyes a few times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources exclusively told CNN.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
And don’t forget spying whale spouts from the coastal cliffs, sans guardrails!
—Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Busby says since spying the rare deer for the first time, and being left confused and charmed by the animal's unique coat, the piebald deer has appeared around his home several more times.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
During Pollard’s detention, Huckabee was among several pro-Israeli politicians who advocated for his release, arguing that the sentence was too severe for someone who had been spying for an ally.
—Paul Goldman, NBC news, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
Turkey arrests 6 suspected of spying ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities have arrested six people, including an Iranian national, on suspicion of spying for Iran, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning about a growing cyber threat that turns everyday QR codes into spying tools.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
London - Despite fears of Chinese spying and hacking, the British government gave the go-ahead Tuesday for China to build a massive new embassy in the heart of London.
—Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Kovrig and Spavor, who were accused of spying, spent almost three years in Chinese detention before being released in 2021, hours after Meng made a deal with the Justice Department.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
He is best known for leading Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency — tasked with spying for the government — for four years until 2017, stepping down after he was suspended and later sacked by Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Having unwittingly helped the powers that be further their flying-monkey spying program, Elphaba — powerful, misunderstood, knows how to rock a pointy hat — has stolen the spell book known as the Grimmerie and declared war on the con artist known as Wizard.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The sale has also raised intelligence concerns that China could gather information about the plane's technology through spying or its military ties with Saudi Arabia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
The spying operation was unusually vast and allowed the hackers to hoover up sensitive information in apparent coordination with geopolitical events, such as diplomatic missions, trade negotiations, political unrest and military actions, according to the report.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The soaring golden orbs may have fooled my eager spying eyes a few times.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources exclusively told CNN.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
And don’t forget spying whale spouts from the coastal cliffs, sans guardrails!
—Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Busby says since spying the rare deer for the first time, and being left confused and charmed by the animal's unique coat, the piebald deer has appeared around his home several more times.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
During Pollard’s detention, Huckabee was among several pro-Israeli politicians who advocated for his release, arguing that the sentence was too severe for someone who had been spying for an ally.
—Paul Goldman, NBC news, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spying
Noun
-
Gallo, an Argentine national security officer who García says is innocent, was arrested in 2024 and charged with espionage and terrorism after crossing the Colombian-Venezuelan border to reunite with his partner and young son.—
Carmen Sesin,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
-
With Claire under suspicion of espionage, she was forced to marry Lord John Grey (David Berry) for protection — a development the very much alive Jamie did not take kindly to upon his return, having taken a different passage home.—
Amy Wilkinson,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
11 Feb. 2026
-
After spotting a mail truck and carrier, McBee jumped out of the Toyota and demanded the carrier’s keys.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The difference between counting down the minutes and barely noticing the time often comes down to what’s in your carry-on.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Driving west on Lake Street in Minneapolis, Emily Phillips abruptly stopped talking mid-sentence, noticing a pickup truck with heavily tinted windows.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Later on Monday, Croft recalled seeing a large tent standing in the middle of the roadway while numerous law enforcement officers investigated the scene.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The second citation refers to Christ’s reaction to seeing the tomb of Lazarus.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Right now, 20th Century Studios’ Sam Raimi movie Send Help is eyeing $10 million in its second weekend at 3,475 sites after a $3M second Friday.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2026
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After finishing, Vonn chatted briefly with Johnson – who raced just before her – at the bottom of the slope, pulled off her knee brace and then walked the circumference of the mixed zone, eyeing the big board as Wiles raced.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This greatly improved the meetings that both boards have regarding our budget discussions and has lead to a better understanding between the two bodies.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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The White House and Vance’s office have discouraged speculation regarding why Vance did not go to Munich.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Check out all the action through our lens by viewing our gallery of the Central vs Manual girls basketball game.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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Longtime supporters have jumped ship, viewing the LDP as too old-fashioned and center-leaning, and instead flocked to new right-wing parties.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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