eavesdrop (on)

verb

ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (on) (audio)
Definition of eavesdrop (on)next
as in to listen in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)
  1. monitor
  2. hear
  3. spy
  4. overhear
Verb
  • Polio vaccines have been extensively studied and monitored for close to 70 years.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
  • In some parts of Delhi last month, pollution levels exceeded 1,750 on the Air Quality Index, according to IQAir, which monitors global air pollution.
    Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • The low, squelching funk of the beat and Richman’s high falsetto were tuned to such a uniquely perfect frequency that everyone was happy to hear them, again and again, and again.
    Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Occasionally there are people who are not gracious or not as willing to hear other perspectives.
    Kimberly A. Whitler, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of hear
Verb
  • Claire comes home one day from spying and finds Lord John in tears, meeting with a captain from the Royal Navy.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 29 Nov. 2024
  • At the same time, Ukrainian authorities have become increasingly suspicious of anyone with links to the Russian Orthodox Church, arresting and convicting clergymen of spying for Moscow.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of spy
Verb
  • And that’s when William overhears the news that Jamie is his biological father.
    Lincee Ray, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • There are other things, too, like easily finding gender-neutral bathrooms — a logistical nightmare back home — and overhearing, for the first time, they/them pronouns used in casual conversation.
    The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
Definition of overhear
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near eavesdrop (on)

eat (up)

eavesdrop (on)

eavesdropped (on)

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Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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