Definition

The act of secretly gathering information about someone or something, often for political or military purposes.

Example

The government increased its efforts in espionage to gather intelligence on foreign threats.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new movie on espionage?

Yeah, I saw the trailer! It looks really intense.

I love thrillers that involve espionage and secrets.

Same here! They always keep you on the edge of your seat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Espionage is derived from the French word 'espion' (meaning spy) and the suffix '-age' (indicating a process or action). The term refers to the act or process of spying or gathering secret information.

Memory Tip

Think of 'espion' meaning spy, and the '-age' indicating an action — so espionage is the action of spying.

Visually Confused Words