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
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2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business
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as in questioning
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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
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2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
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as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
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Examples 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
Adjective
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
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Usually people get curious and ask — sometimes in the form of a contract — to see cuts, which for me, as a journalist, is problematic.Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
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Here, tech must withstand ever-changing conditions, from fluctuating temperatures to rain and snowfall, and even curious creatures, such as mice.Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The park has been gradually reopening since July 2022, and weekends are busy enough that rangers urge visitors to make parking reservations at least a day ahead (details below).Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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After a slow and frustrating start to the week missing out on Juan Soto and Fried, the Red Sox were busy on Wednesday.Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4.Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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But, footage of piles of dead cows awaiting pickup by rendering trucks on California roadways has inspired further questioning.Crystal Heath and Gene Baur, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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These black panels completely cover all of the SUV's windows from the inside, blocking sunlight and the prying eyes of inquisitive fellow campers.Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024
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Timothée Chalamet slouches through the movie with inquisitive, appraising eyes.Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Later this week, the five people charged in his death will face interrogations by the city’s justice department during multiple hearings.Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
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Yes, the interrogation videos were leaked to [producer] Alex Gibney around the spring of 2023.Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Heavy security is intrusive and requires CEOs to constantly adjust arrangements with their security details, experts said.Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024
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If all else fails, GLP-1 medications, known for their effectiveness in weight management, also work to suppress food noise by reducing cravings and intrusive food thoughts, creating a more mindful approach to food.Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations.Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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The inquiry began with a narrow claim that King’s inner circle included men with ties to the Communist Party.Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Awards How Kathryn Hahn shifted ‘WandaVision’s’ nosy neighbor into raging villain May 18, 2021 Much like her character, Hahn has grown into her power over time.Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
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But while Agatha herself has graduated from nosy neighbor to main character, Hahn still carries the part with brisk ease.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prying
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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