pryer
Intrusive curious person
A pryer is someone who pries—who looks too closely into matters that aren't their business, or who attempts to open things by leveraging them apart.
The spelling prier is more common, but both appear: The neighborhood pryer watched everyone's comings and goings.
The word carries connotations of unwelcome curiosity or intrusion.
One who pries covertly
- busybodyIntrusive meddler
- meddlerOne who interferes uninvited
- snoopOne who pries
- eavesdropperOne who listens secretly
gossip · rubbernecker · yenta · buttinsky · parker · stickybeak · peeping tom · voyeur
Professional crime investigator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- private eyeHired investigator, unlicensed
- snoopOne who pries
investigator · spy · undercover · informant · mole · surveillance · stakeout · tailing
Metal prying lever
- leverPivoting bar for lifting
- jimmySmall prying bar
- wrecking barHooked lever for demolition
- claw barHooked nail-extraction lever
pinch bar · nail puller · breaker bar · wedge · fulcrum · leverage
snooper
One who pries covertly
eavesdropper · gossip · rubbernecker · yenta · buttinsky · parker · stickybeak · peeping tom · voyeur · interloper
detective
Professional crime investigator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- private eyeHired investigator, unlicensed
snoop · investigator · spy · undercover · informant · mole · surveillance · stakeout · tailing · shadowing
crowbar
Metal prying lever
- leverPivoting bar for lifting
- jimmySmall prying bar
- wrecking barHooked lever for demolition
claw bar · pinch bar · nail puller · breaker bar · wedge · fulcrum · leverage
- nosy peoplebusybody, snoop, snooper, meddler, eavesdropper