spy
Covert intelligence gatherer
A spy is someone who secretly gathers information, especially for a government or military organization: Soviet spies infiltrated the agency.
The word extends to anyone who watches covertly: neighborhood spies peering through curtains.
To spy is to observe secretly or to catch sight of: I spied him across the room.
To spy on someone is to monitor them without their knowledge.
Covert field agent
- handlerOne who manages something
- assetItem of value owned
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- sleeperOne at rest
informant · dead-drop · legend · exfiltration · infiltration · burned · recruit · network
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
turncoat · betrayal · subversion · leaks · secrets · KGB · CIA · MI6
Secretly engaged in espionage
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · incognito · disguised · concealed · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · undetected · camouflaged
Hidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
stakeout · observation · CCTV · camera · intercept · tail · shadowing · drone
Partly close eyes
- peerOne of similar standing
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- gazeFixed, intent look
- observePerceive with attention
inspect · peek · pry · snoop · prying · nosy · watching · peeping
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
scheme · manipulation · subterfuge · ruse · mystery · thriller · suspense · twist
operative
Covert field agent
sleeper · informant · dead-drop · legend · exfiltration · infiltration · burned · recruit · network · cutout
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
traitor · turncoat · betrayal · subversion · leaks · secrets · KGB · CIA · MI6 · Mossad
undercover
Secretly engaged in espionage
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
furtive · surreptitious · incognito · disguised · concealed · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · undetected · camouflaged · veiled
wiretap
Hidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
tracking · stakeout · observation · CCTV · camera · intercept · tail · shadowing · drone · satellite
squint
Partly close eyes
- peerOne of similar standing
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- gazeFixed, intent look
observe · inspect · peek · pry · snoop · prying · nosy · watching · peeping
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
treachery · scheme · manipulation · subterfuge · ruse · mystery · thriller · suspense · twist · whodunit
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
- espionagedouble agent, double agents, moles, secret agents, tradecraft
- film genreshorror, comedy, drama, action, romance
- Spy Fictionsecret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA, KGB
- action genresmartial arts, kung fu, western, war films, superhero
spydiplomat
Official foreign representative
ambassador · public official · envoy · public figure · foreign correspondent
spyloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
patriot · counterspy · counterintelligence agent · defender · security officer
- spy onCovertly monitor someone
- I spyVisual guessing game
- spy planeCovert aerial surveillance craft
- spy ringsOrganized groups of agents
- spy novelsFiction featuring covert operatives
- spy thrillerFiction featuring secret agents
spying, spyglass, spyhole, counterspy, spymaster, spyglasses, spycraft, spyplane, spylike