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

3 senses of spying

Sense 1
spying -- (keeping a secret or furtive watch)
       => watch, vigil -- (a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe)

Sense 2
spying, undercover work -- (the act of keeping a secret watch for intelligence purposes)
       => intelligence, intelligence activity, intelligence operation -- (the operation of gathering information about an enemy)

Sense 3
detection, catching, espial, spying, spotting -- (the act of detecting something; catching sight of something)
       => discovery, find, uncovering -- (the act of discovering something)

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")