Synonyms for spy
spaɪspy

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 3 votes

1. spy

   The scout and the spy are both employed to obtain information of the numbers, movements, etc., of an enemy. The scout lurks on the outskirts of the hostile army with such concealment as the case admits of, but without disguise; a spy enters in disguise within the enemy's lines. A scout, if captured, has the rights of a prisoner of war; a spy is held to have forfeited all rights, and is liable, in case of capture, to capital punishment. An emissary is rather political than military; sent rather to secretly influence opponents than to bring information concerning them; so far as he does the latter, he is not only an emissary, but a spy.

   Synonyms:
   detective, emissary, scout

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. spyverb

   Synonyms:
   see, espy, discern, discover, explore, view, inspect

   Antonyms:
   miss, overlook, misexplore, misobserve

2. spynoun

   Synonyms:
   emissary, detective, scout

   Antonyms:
   sentinel, watchman, warder, patrol

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. spy, undercover agentnoun

   (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

   Synonyms:
   undercover agent

2. spyverb

   a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people

   "my spies tell me that you had a good time last night"

   Synonyms:
   undercover agent

3. descry, spot, espy, spyverb

   catch sight of

   Synonyms:
   blob, blemish, snoop, recognize, stag, sight, descry, fleck, espy, pick out, sleuth, recognise, distinguish, tell apart, make out, blot, discern, spot

4. spy, stag, snoop, sleuthverb

   watch, observe, or inquire secretly

   Synonyms:
   snoop, give away, shit, stag, sight, shop, betray, espy, sleuth, rat, snitch, denounce, tell on, grass, spot, descry

5. spy, sightverb

   catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes

   "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge"

   Synonyms:
   spot, stag, sight, descry, sleuth, espy, snoop

6. spyverb

   secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage

   "spy for the Russians"

   Synonyms:
   spot, espy, snoop, stag, sight, sleuth, descry

Matched Categories

1. • Investigate
   • Perceive

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. spynoun

   Synonyms:
   scout, emissary (in disguise), secret agent

2. spyverb

   Synonyms:
   see, behold, discern, espy

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. spynoun

   Synonyms:
   scout, emissary (disguised)

2. spyverb

   Synonyms:
   espy, see

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "spy":

   espionage, spying, spies, hyena, spook, eavesdropping, mole, intelligence

Suggested Resources

1. spy

   Song lyrics by spy -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by spy on the Lyrics.com website.

2. SPY

   What does SPY stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the SPY acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

How to pronounce spy?

How to say spy in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use spy in a sentence?

1. Marco Rubio:

   Americans should remember Ana Belén Montes for who she really is, despite the fact that she has served her time in prison. If we forget this spy’s story, it will surely repeat itself.

2. John Delury:

   Regime change is spy novel stuff.

3. Brett Bruen:

   There is an incredibly high level of suspicion, distrust of anything that speaks of intelligence, people will look past Grenell's bravado and boastfulness as long as Richard Grenell is wearing a civilian uniform, but now, donning the spy gear and trying to convey a message about why Germany should support us on Iran or Russia or the spread of extremism is just a nonstarter.

4. Elbert Hubbard:

   A legal or religious ceremony by which two persons of the opposite sex solemnly agree to harass and spy on each other... until death do them join.

5. Alex Tsai:

   Wang Liqiang is not a spy. That is already certain.