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English noun: spy

1. spy (person) (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors


Synonymsundercover agent


Broader (hypernym)intelligence agent, intelligence officer, operative, secret agent


Narrower (hyponym)counterspy, double agent, espionage agent, foreign agent, infiltrator, mole, sleeper


Instance hyponymMargarete Gertrud Zelle, Mata Hari


Domain categoryarmed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine

2. spy (person) a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people


SamplesMy spies tell me that you had a good time last night.


Broader (hypernym)looker, spectator, viewer, watcher, witness


Narrower (hyponym)shadow, shadower, snoop, snooper, tail


English verb: spy

1. spy (perception) catch sight of


Synonymsdescry, espy, spot


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)sight, spy

2. spy (communication) watch, observe, or inquire secretly


Synonymssleuth, snoop, stag


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)monitor, supervise


Entailenquire, inquire, investigate

3. spy (perception) catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes


SamplesHe caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge.


Synonymssight


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)comprehend, perceive


Narrower (hyponym)descry, detect, discover, espy, find, notice, observe, spot, spy

4. spy (communication) secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage


SamplesSpy for the Russians.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)enquire, inquire, investigate









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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