eavesdroppers
Uninvited conversation monitors
Eavesdroppers are people who secretly listen to private conversations.
The term comes from standing under the eaves of a building—where rainwater drips—to overhear what's said inside.
An eavesdropper might press an ear to a wall, linger near a doorway, or tap a phone line: The eavesdroppers recorded hours of incriminating conversations.
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- tappingRepeated light striking
Perceive sound attentively
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
hearsay · earshot · overheard · hushed · murmur · secret · indiscreet · chatter
Freedom from observation
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- breachBreaking of agreement
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
snooping · prying · nosy · busybody · meddling · intrusive · voyeuristic · uninvited
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
counterintelligence · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · asset · handler · mole
Escape through a breach
- exposureState of being unprotected
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- informantOne who provides intelligence
tip-off · betrayal · confession · compromised · indiscretion · divulge · classified · confidential
wiretap
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
tapping · tracking · recording · spyware · metadata · dragnet
listen
Perceive sound attentively
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
rumor · hearsay · earshot · overheard · hushed · murmur · secret · indiscreet · chatter · vent
privacy
Freedom from observation
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- breachBreaking of agreement
confidentiality · snooping · prying · nosy · busybody · meddling · intrusive · voyeuristic · uninvited · unwelcome
spy
Covert information gatherer
intelligence · counterintelligence · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · asset · handler · mole · reconnaissance
leak
Escape through a breach
- exposureState of being unprotected
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
informant · tip-off · betrayal · confession · compromised · indiscretion · divulge · classified · confidential · off-the-record
- audiencesviewers, listeners, spectators, watchers, live audience
- watchmenwatchmen, guards, sentries, sentinels, security guards
eavesdroppersaddressees
Intended message receivers
confidants · interlocutors · conversationalists · authorized personnel · insiders
eavesdroppersspeakers
Audio output devices
broadcasters · announcers · public speakers · orators · proclaimers
eavesdroppersspeakers
Audio output devices
interlocutors · participants · correspondents · principals · senders