as in eavesdropping (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation)
it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listening in (on)
Verb
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There is some special vision here worth monitoring.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026 -
The company fears that in an effort to crack down on espionage, the Defense Department might create monitoring capabilities that supersede even the Chinese Communist Party’s, sliding America into an autocratic AI regime.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Watch the video above to see a boy’s powerful reaction to finally hearing clearly.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Hutson and Brown are scheduled to appear in court for a status hearing Thursday.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kohler and Paris were accused of spying for France and Israel and sentenced to lengthy prison terms in October 2025.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
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John offers to marry Claire to protect her when the British Army wants to arrest her for spying.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For creator Lee Sung Jin, the inspiration came from overhearing a heated dispute inside a couple’s home.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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The only real threat is a whistleblower, like an outcast kid overhearing the whole criminal scheme from the floor below his mother’s office.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Listening in (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listening%20in%20%28on%29. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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