Spied: meaning, definitions and examples

past tense

Spied is the simple past tense of the verb 'spy'. It refers to the act of secretly observing or gathering information about someone or something without their knowledge. This action can involve various tactics such as surveillance, eavesdropping, or reconnaissance. Spying is often associated with intelligence operations, where an individual gathers sensitive information that may be beneficial to their country or organization. The term can also have a less serious connotation in everyday situations, such as secretly watching a friend's surprise party preparations.

eavesdropped, observed, surveilled, watched

Examples of usage

• She spied on her neighbors to see if they were having a party.

• He spied for his government during the war.

• The detective spied on the suspect for weeks.

• They spied from a distance, trying not to be noticed.