as in spotted
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I spy a motel off in the distance, so let's spend the night there
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spied
The relative then spied a dead dog on an interstate nearby, and assumed the canine was Randy since both dogs had the same shading.
—
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Astronomers spied the bare black hole using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — a mega-instrument built by NASA and its partners in part to reveal how galaxies formed during the universe’s first billion years.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In concert with the premature switching off of sets, Bills fans were spied filing out of Highmark Stadium shortly after Henry seemingly put the game out of reach.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Astronomers spied the bare black hole using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — a mega-instrument built by NASA and its partners in part to reveal how galaxies formed during the universe’s first billion years.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
In concert with the premature switching off of sets, Bills fans were spied filing out of Highmark Stadium shortly after Henry seemingly put the game out of reach.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Within minutes my father spied Ernie Banks signing autographs at the wall.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – radically increased in the days after Iran’s conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Goodman, the political consultant, spied an opening for an outsider in the race.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The Kremlin has spied a rapprochement with Washington as an opportunity not only for an economic recovery, but investment.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied
Verb
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By comparison, during the last two years, there were hundreds spotted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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The couple inadvertently confirmed the news at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, when they were spotted kissing and holding hands.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One day, Mae noticed Gracie was looking a little larger than usual.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The following day, the company noticed suspicious activity on its own network.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The trees were cut down, sawed in half, hollowed out and tied back together for the musicians to use.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to one expert, Stephen Parello of BoSox Injection, a leading candidate on the free agent market eyed by the Red Sox as a Bregman replacement will now be unavailable.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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No route is as dizzyingly steep, and the world’s best have eyed it for decades.—
Outside,
Outside,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Amtrak, often regarded as an albatross around taxpayers’ necks, lost more—about $705 million—but serves more than 500 stops, including many that a private enterprise would never bother with and that a public one is obligated to serve.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
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Maine backed Kamala Harris by around seven points in November 2024 and Collins is widely regarded as one of the most vulnerable Republican senators.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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