to spy

Examples

• All

• The agent used various tactics to spy on enemy movements without being detected.

• Did he send you here to spy on me?

  My Old Ass (2024)

• - They wanted me to spy on you.

  Blades of Glory (2007)

• So, John asked you to spy on me?

  John Tucker Must Die (2006)

• Why would I spy on you?

  You've Got Mail (1998)

• Through those windows, I spy into the life of the other house.

  Academic text (2007)

• "Do I understand, you want me to spy?" Belle looked at her.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Are we OK with billions of American tax dollars being spent to spy on millions of Americans?

• We need you to spy on Gary and Gerti.

  Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)

• You spy on us?

  Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024)

Synonyms

F

to follow

vsto spy

352 4.2

To secretly watch someone to see what they do

is broader, using many covert ways to collect information beyond close watching

S

to snoop

vsto spy

89 5.7

To secretly look for someone's private information or watch them

is more neutral and broader, not limited to nosy or private curiosity

I

to intercept

vsto spy

65 7.3

To secretly listen to phone calls or messages to get information

is broader, using many covert methods beyond secretly listening to communications

S

to shadow

vsto spy

27 6.0

To follow someone closely and secretly to watch what they do

is broader, including other secret methods not only tailing a person

E

to eavesdrop

vsto spy

23 5.0

To secretly listen to other people's private conversations without them knowing

is broader, including watching or using technical methods not just overheard speech

S

to surveil

vsto spy

9 8.4

To watch people or places closely to get information and stop crime

is mainly about covertly collecting information rather than official crime prevention

W

to wiretap

vsto spy

5 7.5

To secretly listen to someone's phone calls

is broader and covers other secret ways to collect information beyond wired phone tapping

S

to sleuth

vsto spy

3 6.5

To look for information quietly by following clues

is more about secret information gathering than formal investigative work

Antonyms

R

to reveal

84 7.4

Make hidden truth known by a god or spirit

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 Closely

to surveil

9 8.4

to stalk

• Offensive

195 7.4

to monitor

627 3.5

to spy

132 4.4

to observe

619 2.4

to watch

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology