espies
Notices from afar
Espies is the third-person singular of espy, a literary verb meaning to catch sight of or notice something, especially from a distance or with effort: She espies a figure moving through the trees.
The word sounds archaic or deliberately elevated in modern usage.
Fleeting view
- noticeBecome aware of
- sightVisual perception faculty
- beholdTo see, often reverently
- discernPerceive with careful attention
spy · catch sight of · make out · pick out · observe · detect · perceive · witness
Keenly aware of danger
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- attentivePaying close notice
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- observantNoticing things readily
keen-eyed · sharp-eyed · eagle-eyed · hawk-eyed · perceptive · aware · heedful · on the lookout
glimpse
Fleeting view
discern · spy · catch sight of · make out · pick out · observe · detect · perceive · witness · view
vigilant
Keenly aware of danger
observant · keen-eyed · sharp-eyed · eagle-eyed · hawk-eyed · perceptive · aware · heedful · on the lookout · wary
watch
Portable timekeeping device
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
- reconnoiterMilitary preliminary survey
stake out · track · tail · shadow · follow · surveil · keep tabs on · snoop · eavesdrop · patrol
espiesoverlooks
Misses or surveys
misses · loses sight of · passes over · unsees · ignores
- corporate espionageTheft of proprietary business information
- industrial espionageStealing business secrets covertly
- cyber espionageComputer-based intelligence gathering
- espionage thrillersStories about intelligence agents
- espionage novelsStories about secret agents
- espionage agentCovert intelligence operative