spy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spynext
as in operative
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country the government spy risked his life every day in the fight against global terrorism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spy

2 of 2

verb

ˈspī How to pronounce spy (audio)
as in to spot
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

Example Sentences

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 spy
Noun
Slow Horses, Apple TV’s wry cult spy series, isn’t planning on, well, slowing down anytime soon. — Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 So how do two regular awards show attendees who met in the glamour and intrigue of a fictional spy game stay so seemingly … normal? — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Turkish, Asian and Chinese brands flooded in at first, spying a once-in-a-generation opportunity to hoover up prime real estate. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 27 July 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 See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
  1. operative
  2. spot
  3. agent
  4. eye
  5. undercover
  6. notice
  7. mole
  8. see
Noun
  • Israel continues to clash with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Hamas operatives in Gaza, while the Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea.
    — Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain — with Russian operatives the prime suspects.
    — Claudia Ciobanu, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of operative
Verb
  • His body was eventually spotted by a Flight for Life crew approximately two miles downstream from where he was swept away.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • It’s been spotted on everyone from our favorite celebrities—Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid, and Olivia Rodrigo among them—to the fashion crowd outside Copenhagen Fashion Week.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of spot
Noun
  • Working with a real estate agent, Belmonte quickly saw homes in his price range selling for far more than their asking prices.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Other ways to prevent cockroaches with baking soda are to utilize it as a cleaning agent.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of agent
Verb
  • Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And Phoebe followed it at a safe distance, eyeing it suspiciously.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of eye
Noun
  • Federal prosecutors accused Heidi Beirich, an expert on political extremism and a former director of the nonprofit’s intelligence project, of overseeing payments to informants working undercover in a variety of hate groups.
    — Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Goode and the Safdies began filming interviews with Tabraue and Crutchfield in 2014, with Josh sporting spy-camera glasses to try to capture Tabraue undercover, but the footage looked like crap.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of undercover
Verb
  • Brandon Inniss said fans will notice the different ways Ohio State is getting its receivers the ball in space.
    — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The clip then shows Bader walking down the sidewalk in the shoes as onlookers can’t help but notice the bizarre footwear.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of notice
Noun
  • The special one recent day was chicken in mole sauce for about $11, another good deal.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
  • And there was much hilarity because the first one looked like a mole coming out of the ground.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mole
Verb
  • Recent months have seen an expansion of Russian missile attacks all across Ukraine, as officials in Kyiv warn that Ukrainian stocks of anti-missile interceptor munitions are dangerously low and, in some cases, exhausted.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Check the offer page to see which hotels are offering the discount—you’ll be happy to see fan favorites like Disney’s Grand Floridian and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on the list!
    — Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of see

Browse Nearby Words

sputum
spy
spying
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of spy for Spanish Speakers

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