Home / Thesaurus / Espy

Find the word that fits

Espy: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy

26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives

90,593 searchable synonym connections

350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type

Start with the meaning

Espy

To catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →

51 useful connections shown 11 reviewed relationships and 40 broader connections.

Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 2

Sight 76% connected

The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view; as, to gain sight of land.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Spy 76% connected

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 6

Scout 74% connected

A swift sailing boat.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Scout 74% connected

A swift sailing boat.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Spotter 74% connected

One who spots.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Spotter 74% connected

One who spots.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Spying 74% connected

of Spy

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Spying 74% connected

of Spy

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 3

Descry 92% connected

To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Spot 92% connected

A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a blot; a place discolored.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Spy 92% connected

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.