espy
verb
es·py i-ˈspī 
espied; espying
transitive verb
: to catch sight of
among the several horses … she espied the white mustang
Zane Grey
Zane Grey
Synonyms
- behold
- catch
- descry
- discern
- distinguish
- eye
- look (at)
- note
- notice
- observe
- perceive
- regard
- remark
- see
- sight
- spot
- spy
- view
- witness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder
Recent Examples on the Web Resentful 1970s émigrés were prodding the West to espy its true enemy not in communism, but in an irredeemable Russia. Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020 The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019 For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna. Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017
Ignat Solzhenitsyn, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020 The cub tried to sneak up on him, but was quickly espied by the older lion. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019 For instance, visitors can scan through an electronic infographic for terrariums filled with camouflaging Gulf Coast toads, then head outside onto more than 2 miles of dirt and boardwalk trails to espy the bayou's flora and fauna. Beau Evans, NOLA.com, 6 Oct. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle English espien, from Anglo-French espier — more at spy
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
espy
verb
es·py i-ˈspī
espied; espying
: to catch sight of
espy
verb
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes out of the corner of my eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- notice
- spot
- see
- eye
- regard
- descry
- sight
- view
- perceive
- behold
- spy
- discern
- remark
- witness
- observe
- watch
- note
- catch
- distinguish
- get a load of
- set eyes on
- identify
- lay eyes on
- consider
- pick out
- look (at)
- glimpse
- scan
- scrutinize
- heed
- inspect
- survey
- mark
- examine
- study
- make out
- mind
- attend (to)
- pick up
- glance (at)
- peer (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignore
- disregard
- miss
- neglect
- overlook
- pass over
- overpass