surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl How to pronounce surveil (audio)
surveilled; surveilling

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The administration has also announced plans to surveil immigrants’ social media. Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025 Both programs were specifically formed to surveil left-wing movements—everything from anti-war protests to radical Black activism—and ultimately infiltrate and neutralize them by any means necessary. Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025 One of the highlights of Apple’s Prime Target has been the welcome addition of Martha Plimpton as Jane Torres, an NSA queen who heads of a group of spies who surveil mathematicians all over the globe. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 Federal and state governments have a long and sorry history of using their power to surveil Americans. Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for surveil

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveil was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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