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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of spy
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Apr. 2025
Among the nonfiction titles are an immersive history of Russian spy networks and a reappraisal of the American Revolution tied to the 250th anniversary of its first battle.
—Monitor Contributors, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025
John Archer, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Shauna then spies a swarm of moths attracted to a fluorescent light in the ceiling, dooming themselves to fly toward nothingness again and again and again.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
Coming in third is 20th Century and Disney’s Rami Malek spy thriller The Amateur.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Apr. 2025
Among the nonfiction titles are an immersive history of Russian spy networks and a reappraisal of the American Revolution tied to the 250th anniversary of its first battle.
—Monitor Contributors, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
That’s a lot of hours to fill in an environment where music is the only entertainment (aside from games of I spy…) that the driver, at least, can safely enjoy.
—John Archer, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Shauna then spies a swarm of moths attracted to a fluorescent light in the ceiling, dooming themselves to fly toward nothingness again and again and again.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
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Back in 2015 Atwell had her own show, Agent Carter, back in the Agents of SHIELD era, chronicling her time as a government operative for two seasons.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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During the Cold War, a similar ban was imposed in 1987 after a U.S. Marine in Moscow was compromised by a Soviet operative.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, in a surprising move, the World No. 2 was spotted visiting the Masters course before heading to the Texas Children's Houston Open.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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On March 19, an employee at Grand Teton National Park spotted a grizzly north of the park’s boundary.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Oh yes, and there was one other common denominator with all these contract extensions: None of the agents involved was named Scott Boras.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
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Despite still not having an agent, Marshall had her managers secure her a script and even cut the reel for her self-tape herself.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Amid the uncertainty, European companies are eyeing an opportunity to pivot away from the U.S. market to avoid the effects of the tariffs.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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New technology being eyed for the fall would also allow students to use a badge when boarding and exiting the bus.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Want to see what else is up for grabs during Wayfair’s undercover Kelly Clarkson Home sale?—
Shea Simmons,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Confidential Rental and Leasing Office, created under former Commissioner Ray Kelly, has an important core purpose: to give investigators, including undercovers, a way to procure and use a range of vehicles that don’t automatically give them away, which standard unmarked cop cars tend to do.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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According to the Miami Herald, a separate guest stayed in the room with Tillman's dead body in the closet, but didn't notice it.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The scenes take place in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, which is 750 miles to the north, but few viewers would notice the difference.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The woman also has a mole on her left cheek, officials shared on social media.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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The menu was created by executive chef Fernanda Serrano and takes cues from her upbringing in Mexico, with cuisine highlights like pink mole and pulpo pibil.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now in their early to mid-30s, both authors have seen their stories grow into global phenomena, with millions of readers and successful film adaptations.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Aboard the Carpathia and in later accounts, survivors told horrific tales of seeing fellow passengers struggling in the water around them.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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