ESPY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

espy

verb

i-ˈspī

Definition of espy

as in to notice

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of espy The film’s comedy is built from a series of infinitesimal touches and chance intrusions, as when Édouard, espying Charles in the street, leaps from his seat at a sidewalk café and jostles a waiter bearing drinks. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024 Imprisoned by the Duke of Athens, the cousins espy the beautiful Emilia from their cell—and each man falls immediately in love. — Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024 If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger. — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024 Images taken from different realities, different spaces, times, places that have been sort of cut out and pasted together to create a new scene that depicts something that no human eye would ever have espied. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023 Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia. — Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020 The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019 For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna. — Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espy

Verb

In the early 1980s, while researching his screenplay of Scarface in Miami, Oliver noticed not only the rise of cocaine, but of a young, emerging millionaire class.

— Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
General Daily Insight for October 08, 2026 Today favors noticing what could work better without turning every imperfection into a crisis.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

But the spring 2027 shows also saw a focus on more than those two accessories categories.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

The international soccer leagues are back in action following the summer break, and while watching the world’s top teams play, it’s been great to spot players who were in Kansas City during the World Cup.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Any law enforcement agency with a Flock contract can plug in a license plate number and their reason for search to detect where that car has been spotted by Flock cameras, even outside the agency’s jurisdiction.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of spot

Browse Nearby Words

esprit

espy

espying

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“Espy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of espy

verb

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