spy on
Watch while hidden
To spy on someone is to watch them secretly, usually to gather information they wouldn't willingly share: She caught her neighbor spying on her through the fence.
The phrase implies surveillance without consent—whether a government spying on citizens, a parent spying on a teenager's phone, or a jealous partner spying on a lover.
Display or supervisor
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- observePerceive with attention
- trackPath or monitored route
- tailRear animal appendage
shadow · stakeout · eavesdrop · wiretap · bug · camera · CCTV · snoop
Secretly engaged in espionage
- covertIntentionally concealed
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
KGB · MI6 · Mossad · informant · double agent · handler · asset · sleeper cell
Absence of confidence
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- mistrustLack of faith
- warinessCautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
unease · apprehension · skepticism · doubt · misgivings · caution · snooping · prying
monitor
Display or supervisor
tail · shadow · stakeout · eavesdrop · wiretap · bug · camera · CCTV · snoop · record
undercover
Secretly engaged in espionage
- covertIntentionally concealed
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · informant · double agent · handler · asset · sleeper cell · counterintelligence
distrust
Absence of confidence
vigilance · unease · apprehension · skepticism · doubt · misgivings · caution · snooping · prying · nosy
spy onconfide in
Share secrets with
inform · tell · brief · self-report · report to