Spying: meaning, definitions and examples

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spying

[ˈspaɪɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

government surveillance

The act of secretly obtaining information about a foreign government or individual without their knowledge or consent. It is often done by government agencies for intelligence purposes.

Synonyms

espionage, intelligence gathering, surveillance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spying	Used in informal contexts or when discussing illegal or unethical activities. It often has a negative connotation and suggests deception or betrayal. He was arrested for spying on his neighbor. The company accused their competitor of spying on their research.
surveillance	Generally used to describe the monitoring of behavior or activities, often for security or investigative purposes. It can be formal and is not necessarily secretive. The police increased surveillance in the high-crime area. They installed surveillance cameras around the perimeter.
espionage	Used in formal or serious contexts, often related to state or military activities. It implies a coordinated and usually covert effort to gather information. The government uncovered a network of espionage within its borders. She is suspected of engaging in industrial espionage to steal trade secrets.
intelligence gathering	Refers to the systematic collection of information, typically by government or military agencies. It has a neutral or professional tone and doesn't carry the same negative connotations as 'spying'. Intelligence gathering is crucial for national security. The mission focused on the intelligence gathering in conflict zones.

Examples of usage

They were accused of spying on their allies.
The spy was caught red-handed while spying on the enemy.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

personal relationships

The act of secretly observing someone's actions, conversations, or whereabouts, usually to gather information or uncover secrets.

Synonyms

eavesdropping, snooping, stalking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spying	Typically used in a formal or serious context where someone is secretly gathering information, usually for political or military purposes. The government accused him of spying for a foreign country.
eavesdropping	Used when someone is secretly listening to a conversation they are not part of, often considered rude but not as severe as spying. She was caught eavesdropping on their private conversation.
snooping	Used in a casual context when someone is nosing around in someone else's business or personal affairs; generally has a negative connotation. He was snooping around my office desk while I was out.
stalking	Used in a legal or highly negative context where someone is following or harassing another person relentlessly, often leading to fear or distress. She got a restraining order against him for stalking her.

Examples of usage

She suspected her partner of spying on her phone.
He felt uncomfortable knowing that his colleagues were spying on his social media.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'spy' comes from the Old French 'espier', which means 'to observe or watch closely'.
In Middle English, the term evolved to 'spien', which has roots in the Latin 'specere', meaning 'to look at'.

Historical Context

Spying dates back thousands of years, with notable examples in ancient civilizations like Egypt and China.
During World War II, espionage played a crucial role, with spies transmitting vital information about enemy movements.

Pop Culture

James Bond, a fictional British spy, has become an iconic character in movies, representing the glamor and danger of espionage.
The popularity of spy novels and movies has led to a massive interest in the techniques used by real-life spies.

Technology

Modern spying often involves technology, such as drones, cameras, and cyber surveillance, making it easier to gather information without being detected.
Encryption and data tracking have transformed how governments and organizations monitor communications secretly.

Ethics

The ethics of spying are often debated, with discussions around privacy rights and national security interests.
Some believe that spying can protect people from harm, while others argue it infringes on personal freedoms.

Translations

Translations of the word "spying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espionagem

🇮🇳 जासूसी

🇩🇪 Spionage

🇮🇩 mata-mata

🇺🇦 шпигунство

🇵🇱 szpiegostwo

🇯🇵 スパイ活動

🇫🇷 espionnage

🇪🇸 espionaje

🇹🇷 casusluk

🇰🇷 스파이 활동

🇸🇦 تجسس

🇨🇿 špionáž

🇸🇰 špionáž

🇨🇳 间谍活动

🇸🇮 vohunstvo

🇮🇸 njósnir

🇰🇿 тыңшылық

🇬🇪 ჯაშუშობა

🇦🇿 casusluq

🇲🇽 espionaje

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,048, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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19045 pickled
19046 complimented
19047 reptile
19048 spying
19049 tracheal
19050 inshore
19051 upturned
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