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

Those animals can be pretty destructive, moving around rocks and plants in search of food — both Chaves and Casa Apocalyptica have had to contend with prying paws — but it’s harder for them to mess with a pond that stands 18 inches above the ground, Chang said.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a theory that emerged, not long after Cohen’s home and office were searched by the FBI, that President Trump calling Cohen his personal attorney could cloak all their actions in privilege and thus immunize them from the prying eyes of investigators.

From Slate

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

From Los Angeles Times