窥
peep through gap; spy secretly
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesverb
to peek; to look through a gap/hole
formalOften used in set phrases or formal contexts to describe looking through a narrow opening.
He peeked at the situation inside the house through the door crack.
Peeking at a leopard through a tube, you can see one spot; to see part of the whole.
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The kitten peeked at the birds outside through the curtain gap.
Do not look at strong light through a small hole, it will damage your eyes.
He peeked at the distant mountains through the telescope.
verb
to spy; to secretly observe
Used for secret surveillance or covert investigation, with a neutral to slightly negative connotation.
The police sent people to spy on the criminal gang's activities.
He suspected someone was spying on his privacy.
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The engineer spied on changes in market demand through data.
The detective spied on the movements of suspicious people at the street corner.
This software can spy on users' device usage status.