"spying" in the noun sense
1. spying
keeping a secret or furtive watch
2. spying, undercover work
the act of keeping a secret watch for intelligence purposes
3. detection, catching, espial, spying, spotting
the act of detecting something catching sight of something
"spying" in the verb sense
1. descry, spot, espy, spy
catch sight of
2. spy, stag, snoop, sleuth
watch, observe, or inquire secretly
3. spy, sight
catch sight of to perceive with the eyes
"he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge"
4. spy
secretly collect sensitive or classified information engage in espionage
"spy for the Russians"
Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)
Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.
View WordNet® License