surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl How to pronounce surveil (audio)
surveilled; surveilling
Synonyms of surveilnext

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plaintiffs argue the government could not surveil at scale by manually scouring the internet, since there are about 55 million visa holders in the country. — Varsha Bansal, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct. 2026 Rose came to believe that Kloak had actually been sent by its masters to surveil her but was now betraying them. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 After the police were tipped off to Noye, undercover detectives were sent to surveil him. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 The passport renewal process can also be used to intimidate or surveil activists and ordinary people. — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surveil

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveil was in 1884

Rhymes for surveil

See All Rhymes for surveil

Browse Nearby Words

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surveil
surveillance
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Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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