spied

verb

past tense of spy
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spied At a press conference yesterday NASA presented its preliminary findings, which touch on everything from the moon’s surprisingly colorful craters to a series of curious flashes that the astronauts spied in lunar shadows. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 The tourists, having sent home seven players and their coaching staff mid-series, made four changes but really only spied solace in the performance of Razaullah Khan, one of three debutants. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 To the north of the fire, between a forest and a small dirt road, Olstead spied a green field—the jump spot. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Satellite imagery has already spied an area of rising seas expanding north from South and Central America to California’s Baja Peninsula, with a northward expansion expected from there. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Julius, along with Ruth and David Greenglass, had spied for the Soviet Union. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 Glimmers of this optimism could be spied in the FOMC’s statement, issued ahead of Warsh’s press conference. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026 There, golden bamboo is freshly planted, new curvilinear furniture is featured, high tea is served and Mount Fuji can be spied in the jaw-dropping panoramas on clear days. — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spied
  1. spotted
  2. noticed
  3. saw
  4. eyed
  5. regarded
Verb
  • During the examination, the doctor spotted something suspicious.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That comment from Tomlin, who is now an NBC Sports analyst, was pertinent Sunday afternoon, because Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was spotted by CBS Sports cameras having a heated discussion with position coach Joe Cullen.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of spotted
Verb
  • Earlier this week, a bystander at a local bar noticed his Meta Glasses.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The exact story of how coffee was discovered isn’t known for sure, but one popular legend says an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi noticed that when his goats ate from a red berry plant, they were infused with energy and stayed awake all night.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of noticed
Verb
  • In the book, Covey tells the story of a man relentlessly sawing down a tree.
    — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 2 June 2026
  • Jordan Walker, sawed off by a 96 mph sinker, lined out softly.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of saw
Verb
  • The book was at one point set up for feature development at Universal and in the late 2010s was being eyed as a series.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The financing plan is multi-layered, and other revenue sources eyed for covering the city’s portion include redirecting revenue generated by the future stadium itself.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of eyed
Verb
  • Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The signing is regarded among the worst in franchise history, though the Braves have at least saved a sizable chunk of the cash because of his suspensions.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of regarded

Browse Nearby Words

spidery
spied
spiel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spied. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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