surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl How to pronounce surveil (audio)
surveilled; surveilling
Synonyms of surveilnext

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Flock Safety, which operates a nationwide network of license-plate-reading cameras used by police to track vehicles, announced new safeguards after reports that officers misused the system to surveil people. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 But reports of misuse by law enforcement, along with anxiety over the technology’s ability to surveil ordinary people, has led to protests and prompted some cities to end their contracts with the company. — New York Times, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 The possibility of insider trading, Kalshi argues, will be minimized by company safeguards verifying employment and tools to surveil for unusual market activity. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 The department is looking to buy eight Skydio X10 drones from Axon, the same company the department contracts with to surveil cars in the city. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surveil

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveil was in 1884

Rhymes for surveil

See All Rhymes for surveil

Browse Nearby Words

surv
surveil
surveillance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surveil

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surveil

Nglish: Translation of surveil for Spanish Speakers

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