espionage
US /ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/
UK /ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/
1.
the practice of spying or of using spies, typically by governments to obtain political and military information
:
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The government was accused of engaging in espionage against its own citizens.
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Industrial espionage is a serious threat to businesses.