spy

Examples

• All

• The problem was the Russians had no American spies to offer, and the deal did not take place.

  Academic text (1996)

• We saw it in the response to the Chinese spy balloon.

• Am I a spy for the other side?

  The Month of August (2002)

• Oh, are you a spy for the other side?

  Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

• I was a spy and I was caught.

  Hitler's Children (1943)

• Who was the Israeli spy who was in prison?

  Danny Jones

• And she's being trained to be a spy in return.

• If that man is not mad, he's a spy.

  Francis of Assisi (1961)

• General Thatcher, and his chief spy, Captain Anderson.

  The General (1926)

• He worked as a spy for the government, gathering intelligence on foreign agents.

Synonyms

O

operative

vsspy

204 7.3

A person who works as a secret agent or detective

is narrower meaning specifically a secret information collector

S

secret agent

vsspy

65 3.4

A person who gathers hidden information for a government about enemies

is broader and applies to any covert information collector not only enemy-focused ones

I

intelligence officer

vsspy

• Specialized

31 3.7

A person who works for the government to collect and report secret information about threats to the country

focuses only on collecting information rather than analysis or reporting

U

undercover agent

vsspy

27 4.1

A person who works secretly for the police to gather information while hiding who they are

does not require a false identity and may only collect information secretly

I

intelligence agent

vsspy

• Specialized

16 3.0

A person who secretly works for a government to get information about the country's safety

is used for secret information gathering beyond only national security

S

snoop

vsspy

9 7.4

A person who secretly looks for other people's private information

is often official or organizational in purpose rather than private intrusion

S

snooper

vsspy

3 7.4

A person who secretly tries to find out about other people's private things

is typically used for organized or official secret information gathering

E

espionage agent

vsspy

• Specialized

1 5.8

A person who secretly gets information for another country or company

is more general and not limited to foreign or corporate targets

Compounds

S

spy satellite

• Specialized

11 4.4

A satellite that watches Earth to gather information for military or government use

N

Northern Spy

1 6.5

A large apple that ripens late with crisp flesh and a tart taste

How Professional

operative

204 7.3

agent

• Formal

∞ 2.8

spy

596 2.9

mole

92 8.2

informant

168 5.6

source

∞ 2.3

Surface Forms

Etymology