1
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business
as we moved into our new home, we could sense that there were prying eyes watching us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulling
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever
it took some effort to pry up the trap door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in questioning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prying
Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Verb
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prying
Adjective
-
Sometimes leaders aren’t curious enough to ask what people really want.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
At least in part, Bernheim's programs are meant to put visitors in a more curious and creative state ― one that many young visitors already inhabit full-time.—
Connor Giffin,
The Courier-Journal,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Called Artificial Intelligence for Managing Integrated Environmental Elements, or Aimee, the tech is meant to assist air traffic controllers at busy international hubs.—
Adrienne Bernhard,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
-
Mammoth Bar - This seemed to be the busiest place during the day due to its convenient location right next to Mammoth’s 1st tee and 18th green.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Black told jurors the video shows Johnson sitting calmly through nearly an hour of questioning before launching the assault.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
-
Her persistence and questioning are contagious to her classmates, too.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
On July 4, Venus enters the lighthearted and inquisitive sign of Gemini, where the love planet encourages everything from variety and exploration to intellectual stimulation.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 July 2025
-
According To Experts Where To Set Up A Mouse Trap Mice are inquisitive and will investigate anything new, says Owen.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The interrogation scene in the first movie, between Rey and Kylo, was so incredibly powerful.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
12 July 2025
-
Even for the most loyal fan, no soccer match is worth risking detention, interrogation, family separation and deportation.—
Minky Worden,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Flying drones may avoid some problems navigating terrestrial obstacles and potentially be less intrusive and faster.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
-
Our declaration of revolt against kings and intrusive parliaments was possible because of the theoretical framework provided by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and others.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Enabling representatives with tools, insights and autonomy transforms routine inquiries into brand-defining moments that fuel business growth.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Blain said in the statement that the independent investigative report — and the censure vote — were not objective inquiries, but the result of politics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Just ask season 10 American Idol runner-up and country singer Lauren Alaina, who took to her Insta on Monday (July 7) to clap back at a nosy Nancy who seemed to know exactly what the 30-year-old new mom should be doing to help month-old daughter Beni Doll Arnold.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 July 2025
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The series centers on Italian American sports writer Ray Barone (Romano), living with his wife and kids in Long Island, who must deal with his overbearing and nosy parents who live across the street, as well as his older brother’s frequent jealousy of his success.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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