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
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2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business
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as in questioning
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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
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2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
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as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
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Examples of prying in a Sentence
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
Adjective
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
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Then, its texture and scent likely attracted a curious feline.Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024
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October 2024 Page of Swords: With the new moon solar eclipse in Libra on October 2 lighting up your third house of communication, the Page of Swords encourages you to stay curious and open-minded this month.Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Lines at downtown precincts were busy and people who have been inundated with out-of-town organizers and ads for months could be heard speculating about the results on their cellphones, anxious to see a conclusion to the contest.Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
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At Orr Elementary School in Fort Smith, workers were busy Monday both outside and inside cleaning up damage and assessing the origin of the problem after water flooded at least part of the building.Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Thompson is an affable former television weatherman, but has established himself as one of the most conservative lawmakers with high-profile questioning of climate science and election integrity.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
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Many were shocked by the accusation being made on the reality show, with several questioning if it should’ve been included within the trailer and/ or series at all.Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Each side is outfitted with a different adventure—shape sorting, gear spinners, activity keys, sliders, and beads—for inquisitive young minds.Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
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Plenty of inquisitive fans of the reality series have pointed out on Garrett Josemans' Instagram page in recent weeks that the 33-year-old Netflix reality star indeed has a new hairstyle — having swapped his short spiky hair from the show for a longer, messier look during a recent modeling gig.Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Noun
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After a 30-minute interrogation, the border agent looked at her again and asked her to spell her last name.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2024
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Intercutting footage of the police interrogations and interviews with prominent Israeli figures, the doc explores suggestions that Netanyahu tried to push through a controversial reform of Israel’s judiciary, weakening the power of the Supreme Court, in 2023 to save his own skin.Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Aim for a balance that keeps your brand top of mind without being intrusive.Kartik Jobanputra, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
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From intrusive questions about her virginity to men twice her age discounting her work, she remained mostly posed and polite until her next studio offering: 2001’s Britney.James Dinh, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The organization is also fielding many inquiries from returning parties, suggesting a high level of user satisfaction.Jamie Lang, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
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In any event, the bad blood between the foundation and the city well predates that inquiry.Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Most recently, Rossellini appears as a nosy nun in Edward Berger’s buzzy awards favorite Conclave.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Sep. 2024
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Wanda also uses her power to wipe Agatha’s mind in order to live out her life in Westview as the nosy neighbor Agnes.Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prying
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.
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