eavesdropping

noun

eaves·​drop·​ping ˈēvz-ˌdrä-piŋ How to pronounce eavesdropping (audio)
: the act of secretly listening to something private
Highly sophisticated means of electronic eavesdropping were developed and put into use, largely uncontrolled by the law.Wayne R. LaFave & Jerold H. Israel
For a moment, I was worried he'd found out about my eavesdropping the night before, but that didn't seem to be the problem.Rick Riordan

Examples of eavesdropping 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.
Aside from some intense eavesdropping, the system can also cut the connection between the drone and its controller. New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2024 Yet from the first moment on the day of the breakup, Ben and Claire encounter a series of problems, everything from a bus ride with an obnoxious eavesdropping passenger (Stavros Halkias) to reuniting with an overzealous crush (Kate Pittard). Courtney Howard, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024 Analysts estimate quantitative indicators of military strength using a sprawling infrastructure of satellites, open-source data collection, spies, and electronic eavesdropping. Jason Lyall, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2022 Ratings on this measure are down significantly in the Trump era, although in many cases the slide began during the Obama presidency, coinciding with revelations about NSA eavesdropping and other similar stories. Richard Wike, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2020 See all Example Sentences for eavesdropping 

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eavesdropping was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near eavesdropping

Cite this Entry

“Eavesdropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eavesdropping. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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