prying 1 of 4

adjective

ˈprī-iŋ How to pronounce prying (audio)
Definition of pryingnext
1
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business as we moved into our new home, we could sense that there were prying eyes watching us

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2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prying

2 of 4

noun

as in questioning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prying

3 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of pry
1
as in pulling
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever it took some effort to pry up the trap door

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prying

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of pry
as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern don't go prying into other people's business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prying contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and inquisitive are common synonyms of prying. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

When is it sensible to use curious instead of prying?

While in some cases nearly identical to prying, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When is inquisitive a more appropriate choice than prying?

The words inquisitive and prying are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prying
Adjective
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves. — Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023 But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves. — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prying
  1. curious
  2. busy
  3. questioning
  4. inquisitive
  5. interrogation
  6. intrusive
  7. inquiry
  8. nosy
Adjective
  • Folks may be curious to know who is replying to their content and investigate what your business is all about.
    — AllBusiness, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Now that final number being below the opening week totals for Chromatica is a bit curious – especially considering there seems to be more passion for the music of Mayhem versus its predecessor – but still nothing to scoff at.
    — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of curious
Adjective
  • The good news is, Spanx’s sale section is currently bursting with pieces practically made for long-haul flights and busy travel days, so now is the best time to fill any gaps in your wardrobe before the weather heats up.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2025
  • However, the Panthers were able to get a two-year deal done with cornerback Mike Jackson after a busy day of negotiating elsewhere.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of busy
Noun
  • Just whittling down a potential pool of hundreds of jury candidates is expected to last as many as three days at the end of April, the judge said, before the final panel undergoes voir dire questioning, scheduled to begin the first few days of May.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The man was brought back to Oakland for questioning and was to be booked at Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder.
    — Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of questioning
Adjective
  • Disney’s live-action film has become so fraught with controversy that the premiere on March 15 will be scaled back and exclude pesky, inquisitive press from the red carpet.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Cats, known for their mischievous and inquisitive nature, often develop peculiar habits, and this particular feline's nightly ritual has resonated with audiences.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of inquisitive
Noun
  • He has been taken to the police station for interrogation multiple times, his parents said in a statement.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The first episode focuses on Jamie’s arrest, from the cops’ sudden, early-morning arrival in his home to a climactic interrogation scene.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of interrogation
Adjective
  • Groups who may feel targeted by Trump rhetoric and policies – trans people, in particular, may feel less safe and fear intrusive inspections and questions at the border.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • These professionals will likely ask you about your personal and financial circumstances before entering an agreement, which might seem intrusive.
    — Kirk Pepi, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of intrusive
Noun
  • The White House also did not respond to ABC News' inquiry about Bondi's pending report.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department for comment via an online media inquiry form outside of regular office hours.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of inquiry
Adjective
  • Provincial judgments and resentments peek their nosy heads out, then close their shutters again; intimacy and passive aggression babble like intersecting creeks; everyone interrupts everyone, and on they all tumble together.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Turns out, the antidote to any reading slump is just being nosy.
    — Meg Zukin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Definition of nosy

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Cite this Entry

“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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