Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun spy

2 senses of spy

Sense 1
spy, undercover agent -- ((military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors)
       => secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent, operative -- (a person secretly employed in espionage for a government)

Sense 2
spy -- (a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; "my spies tell me that you had a good time last night")
       => spectator, witness, viewer, watcher, looker -- (a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind); "the spectators applauded the performance"; "television viewers"; "sky watchers discovered a new star")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb spy

4 senses of spy

Sense 1
descry, spot, espy, spy -- (catch sight of)
       => spy, sight -- (catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge")

Sense 2
spy, stag, snoop, sleuth -- (watch, observe, or inquire secretly)
       => monitor, supervise -- (keep tabs on; keep an eye on; keep under surveillance; "we are monitoring the air quality"; "the police monitor the suspect's moves")

Sense 3
spy, sight -- (catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge")
       => perceive, comprehend -- (to become aware of through the senses; "I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon")

Sense 4
spy -- (secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; "spy for the Russians")
       => investigate, inquire, enquire -- (conduct an inquiry or investigation of; "The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities"; "inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady")