eavesdropped
Overheard on purpose
Eavesdropped is the past tense of eavesdrop, meaning to secretly listen to a private conversation.
The word comes from the practice of standing under the eaves of a building to hear what was said inside.
She eavesdropped on their argument through the thin walls.
He admitted he had eavesdropped on the meeting.
Unintentionally listened to
- earshotAudible proximity zone
- audibleCapable of being detected by ear
- acousticRelating to sound
- intonationPitch variation in speech
whisper · muffled · soundproof · thin walls · keyhole · doorway · conversation · voices
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
hidden · secretive · discreet · sub rosa · veiled · undetected · unseen · inconspicuous
Intrusively inquisitive
- nosyIntrusively curious
- curiousEager to learn
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
busybody · snoopiness · nosiness · inquisitive · peeping · spying · uninvited · trespass
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
interception · tapping · monitoring · reconnaissance · intelligence · infiltration · spying · counterintelligence
Unconfirmed circulating story
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- whisperSpeech without full voice
innuendo · dirt · scoop · secrets · confidential · indiscretion · leak · chatter
overheard
Unintentionally listened to
intonation · whisper · muffled · soundproof · thin walls · keyhole · doorway · conversation · voices · murmur
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
surreptitious · hidden · secretive · discreet · sub rosa · veiled · undetected · unseen · inconspicuous · undercover
prying
Intrusively inquisitive
- nosyIntrusively curious
- curiousEager to learn
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
intrusive · busybody · snoopiness · nosiness · inquisitive · peeping · spying · uninvited · trespass · snoop
wiretap
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
snooping · interception · tapping · monitoring · reconnaissance · intelligence · infiltration · spying · counterintelligence · SIGINT
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
whisper · innuendo · dirt · scoop · secrets · confidential · indiscretion · leak · chatter · buzz
eavesdroppedannounced
Publicly stated or declared
broadcast · declared · spoke up · proclaimed · disclosed
eavesdroppedignored
Purposely not noticed
tuned out · disregarded · overlooked · dismissed · zoned out
- electronic eavesdroppingSecret technological surveillance