as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder
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Recent Examples of espy
The film’s comedy is built from a series of infinitesimal touches and chance intrusions, as when Édouard, espying Charles in the street, leaps from his seat at a sidewalk café and jostles a waiter bearing drinks.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Imprisoned by the Duke of Athens, the cousins espy the beautiful Emilia from their cell—and each man falls immediately in love.
—Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
Images taken from different realities, different spaces, times, places that have been sort of cut out and pasted together to create a new scene that depicts something that no human eye would ever have espied.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023
Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia.
—Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020
The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019
For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna.
—Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Imprisoned by the Duke of Athens, the cousins espy the beautiful Emilia from their cell—and each man falls immediately in love.
—Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
Images taken from different realities, different spaces, times, places that have been sort of cut out and pasted together to create a new scene that depicts something that no human eye would ever have espied.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023
Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia.
—Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020
The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019
For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna.
—Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espy
Verb
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Pankow's absence is noticed on set of the final season, Cline says.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Maybe a student is an amateur chef who notices that there are few affordable bakers in the area for parties and community events.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The third edition of this category sees four out of five honorees return, mainly owing to their outstanding portfolios and strength of service.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
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What areas in Texas have flooded? Can't see our graphics?—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Singer and actress Dua Lipa and American actor turned racer Patrick Dempsey were spotted at the event, while popular F1 names included Williams team principal James Vowles, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, and the Haas F1 team.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
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While browsing the agency's website, Kelly spotted a little girl with spina bifida.—
Analisa Novak,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Sign-and-trades could open up additional possibilities, although base-year-compensation rules would complicate that for any restricted free agents who are eyeing a significant raise.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Ro Khanna, who's eyeing 2028, is also trying to force a vote.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Espy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espy. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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