spying 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spyingnext
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

spying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spy
as in noticing
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spying
  1. espionage
  2. seeing
  3. eyeing
  4. regarding
  5. viewing
Noun
  • Taking place during the first Gulf War in the 1990s, the story campaign expertly sets the latest chapter amid an intriguing time of espionage and has the mission design chops to bolster the narrative.
    Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
  • China has issued a strong rebuke to the United States, accusing it of hypocrisy over espionage following recent Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) efforts to recruit Chinese informants.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Definition of espionage
Verb
  • Indeed, the conclusion the film reaches gestures in this direction, with the sentiment that perhaps the most important thing is that the family experience quality time with each other, more than seeing giraffes and camels and hiking the Himalayas.
    Catherine Bray, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
  • This approach to seeing Clark play against other Black players has continued into the WNBA as Clark’s presence has grown the league’s fanbase, creating sellout crowds and record-breaking attendance wherever Clark plays.
    Susan M. Shaw, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of seeing
Verb
  • Increasingly, brands are playing an active role in resale, eyeing both the environmental and economic opportunities of giving their garments a second life.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Matthew Gray Gubler is eyeing a return to CBS.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of eyeing
Verb
  • This past March, the committee amended its previous decision regarding the actor Hinton Battle, expanding the number of marquee dimmings from select Broadway theaters to all 41 Broadway theaters.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
  • To see how the fashion industry is faring regarding sustainability, Lauren Parker, director of Fairchild Studios, sat down with Peter Sadera, editor-in-chief, Sourcing Journal, to discuss the positives pushing things forward, as well as the obstacles blocking more progress.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of regarding
Verb
  • Since then, Invisible Histories has accumulated an archive of nearly 200 collections, 150 of which are available for viewing.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them, 4 Oct. 2024
  • What makes Industry such a rich viewing experience is how its locus of control bends toward the external.
    Zachary Siegel, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of viewing
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 spying

spy

spying

spymaster

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Spying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spying. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on spying

Nglish: Translation of spying for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of spying for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...