espionage
The practice of spying or of using spies, typically by governments to obtain political or military information.
Espionage specifically refers to the act or practice of spying, often implying a systematic and organized effort by a state or organization, rather than just a single act of spying.
Word relationships
- spying: More general term, can refer to casual or professional observation.
- intelligence gathering: Broader term, includes open-source collection, not just secret methods.
- transparency: Openness and lack of secrecy.
- candor: The quality of being open and honest.
Word family
- espion (noun): (archaic) a spy
Collocations
- international espionage
- industrial espionage
- economic espionage
- act of espionage
- network of espionage
Example sentences
- "The thrilling narrative explored the intricate world of international espionage, where loyalties were constantly tested and secrets held immense power." The novel detailed a complex web of international espionage during the Cold War.
- "He was accused of espionage, a grave offense that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence." A former intelligence officer was charged with espionage for selling classified documents.
- "Preventing industrial espionage is crucial for protecting a company's intellectual property and competitive edge." The agency's primary mission was to prevent foreign espionage within national borders.
Memory hook
Think of 'E.S.P.' (extrasensory perception) plus 'ON-age' – spies are 'on' the job, using their 'ESP' to gather secret information. ESP-ON-age: Spies are ON it!
When not to use
Do not use 'espionage' to refer to casual snooping or gossip; it implies serious, often state-sponsored, intelligence gathering.
Fun facts
- The term 'espionage' gained significant prominence during the World Wars and the subsequent Cold War, as intelligence operations became highly sophisticated and institutionalized.
Related words
Explore more words
surveillance, treason, counterterrorism, sabotage, scout, subterfuge
Also appears in
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.