spy

US /spaɪ/
UK /spaɪ/
"spy" picture
1.

a person who secretly collects and reports information on the activities, movements, and plans of an enemy or competitor

:
•
The government arrested a foreign spy.
•
She worked as a spy during the war.
:
agentoperativesecret agentinformermole
1.

to secretly gather information about someone or something

:
•
He was caught spying on his neighbors.
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The agency was accused of spying on its own citizens.
:
eavesdropobservewatchmonitorreconnoiter
2.

to suddenly notice or see something

:
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I think I spy a familiar face in the crowd.
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Can you spy any ships on the horizon?
:
spotdiscerndetectperceiveespy
:
spy on