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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2025
Expose every last devious aspect of the terror attack — all the countries that looked the other way and the spy agencies that failed fellow Americans.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025
Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The recipe is inspired by the Grey Goose Honey Deuce, the cocktail Taylor and Travis were spied drinking with friends at the US Open in 2024.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Noun
The film’s marketing strategy has been notably unconventional, with the studio – known in India for both its romances and its spy universe – deliberately keeping the lead actors away from public appearances and interviews to build mystery around their debuts.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2025
Expose every last devious aspect of the terror attack — all the countries that looked the other way and the spy agencies that failed fellow Americans.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025
Verb
On a visit to another small Ok. town, Cox spied a tattered awning that said Country Bird, which was the perfect name for her bakery.
—Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The recipe is inspired by the Grey Goose Honey Deuce, the cocktail Taylor and Travis were spied drinking with friends at the US Open in 2024.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spy
Noun
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Indeed, Jared Fleisher, one of Gilbert's top operatives, gave mayoral candidate Fred Durhal III's campaign $2,000.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Neither a complacent, neutered Congress nor a Supreme Court controlled by lifelong GOP partisan operatives appear willing or able to stop it.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Verb
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How to spot a stroke The phrase to remember is BE FAST.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
26 July 2025
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For a deeper peek into Sinclair Canyon and a chance to spot bighorn sheep grazing, try the nearby Juniper Loop hike.—
Jenny Wisniewski,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Record company executives, agents, producers and bookers dominate the panel discussions.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
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Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Sign-and-trades could open up additional possibilities, although base-year-compensation rules would complicate that for any restricted free agents who are eyeing a significant raise.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Ro Khanna, who's eyeing 2028, is also trying to force a vote.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Michael Fassbender stars as Martian, a CIA spy who’s recalled to London after years of living deep undercover in Ethiopia.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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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
Verb
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Pankow's absence is noticed on set of the final season, Cline says.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Maybe a student is an amateur chef who notices that there are few affordable bakers in the area for parties and community events.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Deanna Raybourn’s sequel, which reads fine as a standalone, follows a senior quartet of female assassins who are called back into action to track down a mole within the elite assassin organization, the Museum.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
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The food was a homemade meal of mole, rice and beans made by Blanca’s mom and friends.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
6 July 2025
Verb
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At Holland State Park, which is run by the state and hasn’t seen lifeguards in three decades, there’s talk among Park Township officials of implementing a lifeguard pilot program.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
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Friday, July 25 8 p.m. ET: Great White Reign of Terror - In South Africa, two people are killed by great whites near the eastern cape, an area that hasn’t seen an attack in decades.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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