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.
Critics worry that the quieter, nimbler drones will be used to surveil the public with little oversight. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 The real question is whether a warrant is needed to surveil Americans. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 May 2026 Shadow fleets and dark vessels have turned the ocean into a security problem bigger than any one country can surveil by itself. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 View this post on Instagram Officers used drones to surveil the scene and identify vehicles that were actively participating in the sideshow. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 June 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

surv
surveil
surveillance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surveil

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surveil

Nglish: Translation of surveil for Spanish Speakers

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