SPIED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

spied

verb

past tense of spy

as in spotted

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

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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.

Recent Examples of spied Next, astronomers spied several exoplanets that are gas giants like Jupiter—but in orbits so tight that these worlds practically skim the surfaces of their stars. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026 In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Julius, along with Ruth and David Greenglass, had spied for the Soviet Union. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 Glimmers of this optimism could be spied in the FOMC’s statement, issued ahead of Warsh’s press conference. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026 There, golden bamboo is freshly planted, new curvilinear furniture is featured, high tea is served and Mount Fuji can be spied in the jaw-dropping panoramas on clear days. — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Except from one small group, who spied the women coming out of the pool and seemed to fix on them with special focus. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 More accolades followed, as Wyatt's steamy Bold entrance on a 2013 episode (being spied naked in an outdoor shower by Kim Matula's Hope Logan) announced a major new player in the soap's setting in the cutthroat Los Angeles fashion industry. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied

Verb

The alert went out warning students to avoid Eddy Hall after the bear was spotted hiding near the academic building.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
In July, Heated Rivalry actor Hudson Williams was spotted in Seoul wearing a pair of calf-length white shorts from Descalco, a new swimwear brand that launches this week.

— Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of spotted

Verb

Earlier this summer, staff at the Royal Oak Public Library in Oakland County noticed bedbugs on some furniture during a building inspection.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Nearly an hour after Nolan was last seen, friends on one of the boats noticed its bilge pump had failed and water was rapidly filling the hull, Tyler Cox and Edward Paltzik, attorneys for the friends, told CNN.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticed

Verb

Kushner, of permanent-capital holding company Thrive Eternal and younger brother of Jared Kushner, and Iger, Disney’s former chief executive, were recently looking into an expansion franchise as the NBA eyed new teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
A number of insiders are reporting that actress Cailee Spaeny is either being eyed for Rogue or has actually been cast.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of eyed

Verb

Preconceptions, assumptions, and advance knowledge in the viewing public are regarded as impediments to the capacity of the tale to surprise, startle, or transport.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Roger is often regarded as a major figure in country music, credited for broadening the range of the genre by including elements of pop music in his songs.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of regarded

Browse Nearby Words

spidery

spied

spiel

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“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of spied

verb

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