prying

[ prahy-ing ]

adjective

1. that pries; looking or searching curiously.
2. impertinently or unnecessarily curious or inquisitive.

   Synonyms: nosy

Other Words From

• prying·ly adverb
• prying·ness noun
• un·prying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prying¹

First recorded in 1950–55; pry ¹ + -ing ²

Synonym Study

See curious.

Example Sentences

“Obviously, it’s awful what happened to them. But also: You put yourself in this position by prying into my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

The high fences allow celebrities to hide from prying eyes.

From BBC

The reluctant hero is not a new character; prying a warrior out of retirement is a popular storytelling device.

From Los Angeles Times

Metal sheeting protects the site from prying eyes but mounds of broken concrete can still be seen through the gaps in the gate.

From BBC

Allied bombing was aimed at stopping Hitler from sending reinforcements and at prying his troops out of the “Atlantic Wall” of coastal defenses and other strongpoints that German occupation forces had built with forced labor.

From Seattle Times