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Showing results for wiretap. Search instead for pretap.
Definitions

wiretap

[wahyuhr-tap] / ˈwaɪərˌtæp /
NOUN
surveillance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
care control examination inspection scrutiny supervision vigilance
STRONG
bug direction eye lookout spying stakeout superintendence tab tail tap track vigil watch
WEAK
body mike bugging eagle eye peeled eye surveyance
Antonyms
STRONGEST
carelessness ignorance neglect negligence
WEAK
indifference unobservance
VERB
bug
Synonyms
STRONG
eavesdrop overhear spy tap
WEAK
listen in
VERB
eavesdrop
Synonyms
STRONGEST
listen in overhear snoop
STRONG
bug monitor pry spy tap wire
WEAK
be all ears bend an ear ears into tune in on
Antonyms
WEAK
ignore
VERB
investigate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consider examine explore inspect interrogate probe question review scrutinize search study
STRONG
bug case delve dig eyeball frisk inquire muckrake poke prospect pry read reconnoiter research scout sift spy tap
WEAK
be all ears check out check over check up feel out give the once-over go into inquisite listen in look into look over make inquiry nose around put to the test run down stake out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
answer forget ignore neglect reply
STRONG
leave alone overlook
VERB
pry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
poke
STRONG
bug gape gaze hunt inquire intrude investigate meddle nose peek peep peer ransack reconnoiter rubberneck search snoop spy stare tap
WEAK
be a busybody be all ears be curious be inquisitive be nosy ferret out listen in poke nose into tune in on
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore neglect
WEAK
close leave alone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In fact, conspirators were overheard on a wiretap saying they “wouldn’t trust Joe” to agree to their scheme.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

Unnamed White House advisers who spoke with the Guardian said they raised the issue with aides close to Vice President JD Vance, only to find that the wiretap story was bunk.

From Salon • May 27, 2025

The Swedish government has proposed new legislation that would allow police to wiretap children under the age of 15 in an attempt to grapple with the problem.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025

The officers had extraordinary records of complaints but were not under investigation until the wiretap.

From Slate • May 9, 2024

In all, the wiretap in "Harvey's Hole" recorded a staggering 433,000 conversations, giving America insight into the mind and plans of its main enemy.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.