surveillance

noun

sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
Definition of surveillancenext
1
as in stewardship
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control a neutral country charged with the surveillance of the post-war rebuilding effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in watch
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity government surveillance of suspected terrorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of surveillance Patel said surveillance footage shows four suspects forcing their way into the home before heading directly upstairs. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Beyond cargo transport, KONA’s modular architecture and optionally piloted design could eventually support other configurations, including communications relay, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and payload delivery. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026 It is not classified as a disease under the EU Animal Health Law and not subject to official surveillance or control measures. — CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 The criminal complaint against him noted that a surveillance video from the camera system in their garage corroborated the woman’s statement. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surveillance
  1. stewardship
  2. watch
  3. supervision
  4. lookout
  5. oversight
  6. management
  7. control
  8. policing
Noun
  • By the end of the Biden administration, there were over 400 co-stewardship or co-management agreements with tribes, 159 within the National Park Service alone, says Sams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The company’s founder has sued Kao, saying his stewardship defrauded Navatek of millions.
    — Molly Redden, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Netanyahu’s opponents said he should be held accountable for the security failures that occurred on his watch and have demanded a commission of inquiry.
    — Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The president, meanwhile, has been trying to rally voters around the country, touting the economy as strong while downplaying the extent of inflation under his watch.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • Budget for training, supervision and continuity alongside implementation.
    — Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The root of the conflict is the Colorado River Compact, negotiated in 1922 among the seven states of the Colorado watershed under the supervision of the then-Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • As efforts continue, Barradell is asking people around the Sea of Cortez to remain on the lookout.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The president’s plan announced Tuesday night would focus on releasing people who were considered gang collaborators, a blanket term that can include anyone from gang lookouts to people who make extortion payments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of lookout
Noun
  • Gaps in governance, limited visibility into usage and costs, and restrictive vendor terms further complicate oversight—underscoring the need for stronger cost controls as organizations scale AI.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • By weeks 8–12, deploy the model in production with human oversight and a robust governance framework.
    — Santanu Boral, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of oversight
Noun
  • These private, elevated spaces so intrinsic to the character of the property will remain closed to the public while management seeks a practical solution.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Savannah River National Laboratory conducts research involving nuclear materials, environmental management, energy technologies, and national security.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But two more scores from Rexroat of 5 and 54 yards maintained the Eagles’ control of the game.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Portugal hasn’t seen the scale of violence, arson and looting witnessed in some other European countries, although protesters have complained about heavy-handed policing during the removal of tents erected in city squares.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Policy responses to this crisis have largely focused on policing, prosecution and tougher penalties.
    — Charles Wratto, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of policing

Browse Nearby Words

surveil
surveillance
surveillances
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Cite this Entry

“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surveillance. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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