Synonyms for spy


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : spahy
Phonetic Transcription : spaɪ

Top 10 synonyms for spy Other synonyms for the word spy

Définition of spy

Origin :
  • mid-13c., from Old French espier "to spy," probably from Frankish *spehon, from Proto-Germanic *spekh- (cf. Old High German *spehon "to look out for, scout, spy," German spähen "to spy," Middle Dutch spien), the Germanic survivals of the productive PIE root *spek- "to look" (see scope (n.1)).
  • noun person who secretly finds out about another's business
  • verb secretly follow, watch another's actions
Example sentences :
  • It was suggested by a plate of apples that he happened to spy on the mantel-piece.
  • Extract from : « The Three Golden Apples » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Then she ran away and would not play "I spy" or "Tig" any more.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • That the spy will fabricate his information is a mere commonplace.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • A spy of that sort can afford to be more reckless than the most reckless of conspirators.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • But when he was ill, he had a nurse whom I began to suspect as a spy.
  • Extract from : « It Happened in Egypt » by C. N. Williamson
  • I've seen a man whom I know to be a spy, and a most dangerous one, too.
  • Extract from : « The Rock of Chickamauga » by Joseph A. Altsheler
  • Why, he's heard we're married, an' come over here to spy out the land.
  • Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown
  • Also, she no longer dared to follow him, to watch him, to spy on him.
  • Extract from : « The Incomplete Amorist » by E. Nesbit
  • I will not say in what country, for all countries have been hospitable to me, and I am neither a spy nor a traitress.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • "I tell you once for all, there is no such thing as an escape possible," said the spy, firmly.
  • Extract from : « A Tale of Two Cities » by Charles Dickens

Antonyms for spy

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019