listen in (on)

verb

Definition of listen in (on)next
as in to eavesdrop (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listen in (on)
  1. hear
  2. monitor
  3. spy
  4. overhear
Verb
  • The low, squelching funk of the beat and Richman’s high falsetto were tuned to such a uniquely perfect frequency that everyone was happy to hear them, again and again, and again.
    Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Occasionally there are people who are not gracious or not as willing to hear other perspectives.
    Kimberly A. Whitler, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of hear
Verb
  • Polio vaccines have been extensively studied and monitored for close to 70 years.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Healthcare providers will closely monitor people taking these drugs to detect any early hearing loss.14 The aminoglycoside drugs carrying a high risk of tinnitus include:14 Amikacin Neomycin Kanamycin Tobramycin 8.
    Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • From spy balloons over South Carolina to spy bases in Cuba, China in particular is demonstrating its growing ability to hold the U.S. homeland at risk.
    Todd Harrison, TIME, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The report also claimed that the investigative authorities are not ruling out the possibility that China sent Communist Party members to spy in South Korea.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
Definition of spy
Verb
  • And that’s when William overhears the news that Jamie is his biological father.
    Lincee Ray, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • There are other things, too, like easily finding gender-neutral bathrooms — a logistical nightmare back home — and overhearing, for the first time, they/them pronouns used in casual conversation.
    The Editors, Curbed, 2 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 listen in (on)

listening (to)

listen in (on)

listens

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Cite this Entry

“Listen in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listen%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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