eavesdrop (on)

verb

ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (on) (audio)
Definition of eavesdrop (on)next
as in to listen in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)
  1. monitor
  2. hear
  3. spy
  4. overhear
Verb
  • As Will periodically rode by on a Segway to monitor his work—Segways were for closers on Seal Team Six—Colvin flailed in his efforts to charm the residents of St. Cloud.
    Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
  • While protecting life remains the most important priority, the state of community and cultural cornerstones is being carefully monitored.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • Justices issued an order agreeing to hear the appeal by Terry Hubbard, who went to the Supreme Court in October after the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that charges against him should move forward.
    Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The high court, which will have to hear the case, next meets on March 11.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune Asia, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of hear
Verb
  • While on the grounds, my family and I spied cheetahs and elephants — forcing my sons to forget all about their iPads.
    Emily Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2024
  • Beggars were executed by fighters who accused them of spying for the military.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of spy
Verb
  • The complaint was overheard by the 52-year-old Jamar Banks, who was standing nearby on the platform, police sources said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Prosecutors write that an argument can be overheard occurring in the car and the footage shows the car pulling out with the three men inside of it.
    David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of overhear
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near eavesdrop (on)

eat (up)

eavesdrop (on)

eavesdropped (on)

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Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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