eavesdropper
Uninvited conversation monitor
An eavesdropper is someone who secretly listens to private conversations.
The word comes from the practice of standing under the eaves of a building—where rainwater drips—to overhear what's happening inside.
The eavesdropper pressed her ear to the wall.
The verb is eavesdrop; the activity is eavesdropping.
Secretly recording conversations
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- interceptSeize en route
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
recording · tracking · electronic · audio · transmitter · keystroke · wire · snoop
Unconfirmed circulating story
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- tattleReveal another's wrongdoing
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
busybody · gossipmonger · yenta · tittle-tattle · blabbermouth · nosy · meddlesome · prying
Secretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- slyCleverly deceptive
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- secretiveInclined to conceal
sneaky · undetected · hidden · clandestine · inconspicuous · discreet · unobtrusive · subtle
Unlawful entrant on property
- snooperOne who pries covertly
- interloperOne who enters uninvited
- invaderOne who enters aggressively
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
prowler · intruder · peeping · uninvited · encroacher · voyeur
Covert intelligence gathering
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- informantOne who provides intelligence
mole · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · cloak-and-dagger · shadowing · tail · watcher · undercover
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
insider · leak · disclosure · unauthorized · intel · concealment · undisclosed · proprietary
Audible proximity zone
- catchSeize or snag
- audibleCapable of being detected by ear
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- overheardUnintentionally listened to
unintended · accidental · bystander · earwig · pickup
bugging
Secretly recording conversations
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- interceptSeize en route
- spywareHidden surveillance program
tap · recording · tracking · electronic · audio · transmitter · keystroke · wire · snoop
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
hearsay · busybody · gossipmonger · yenta · tittle-tattle · blabbermouth · nosy · meddlesome · prying · rumormonger
stealthy
Secretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- slyCleverly deceptive
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
secretive · sneaky · undetected · hidden · clandestine · inconspicuous · discreet · unobtrusive · subtle · skulking
trespasser
Unlawful entrant on property
- snooperOne who pries covertly
- interloperOne who enters uninvited
- invaderOne who enters aggressively
unwelcome · prowler · intruder · peeping · uninvited · encroacher · voyeur
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
informant · mole · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · cloak-and-dagger · shadowing · tail · watcher · undercover · handler
confidential
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- privilegedHaving special advantages
sensitive · insider · leak · disclosure · unauthorized · intel · concealment · undisclosed · proprietary · off-the-record
earshot
Audible proximity zone
- catchSeize or snag
- audibleCapable of being detected by ear
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
overheard · unintended · accidental · bystander · earwig · pickup
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- listenersradio listener, podcast listener, concertgoer
- nosy peoplebusybody, snoop, snooper, meddler, nosy parker
- blabbermouthsblabbermouth, gossipmonger, rumormonger, scandalmonger, talebearer
- communicatorsspeaker, explainer, orator, presenter, announcer
- defendersdefender, guard, protector, guardian, keeper
eavesdropperaddressee
Intended mail recipient
confidant · target audience · interlocutor · invitee · insider
eavesdropperspeaker
One who talks
broadcaster · announcer · communicator · orator · proclaimer
- electronic eavesdroppingSecret technological surveillance