mole

noun

Definition of molenext
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country for years we have had a mole in the enemy's national intelligence agency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 mole Expect regional cuisine from Jalisco and Oaxaca, with handmade tortillas, open-fire cooking, seafood, ceviches, aguachiles and traditional moles. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 The special one recent day was chicken in mole sauce for about $11, another good deal. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026 Her doctor referred her to a dermatologist, who found that what O’Brien thought was a pimple ended up being an irregular mole. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 Animals, from burrowing moles and voles to foxes looking for food, can cause uneven lawns. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mole
  1. spy
  2. operative
  3. agent
Noun
  • Yet the Department of Military Counterintelligence—formally responsible for detecting foreign spies within the armed forces—has also been involved in many cases, reflecting the growing dependence of Russian industries on military contracts.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Bourne Identity Teens who enjoy action movies and spy capers will be all about the first film in the Bourne movie series, which came out in 2002.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of spy
Noun
  • Strategy and comms chief Nick Rathod, a seasoned political operative, served as Deputy Director in the Obama White House and a Special Assistant to the President.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The complaint alleges that Bowie, who converted to Islam five years ago and became radicalized online, spent a month communicating with an ISIS facilitator who was actually an undercover operative working with the FBI.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of operative
Noun
  • Rogue OpenAI agents’ unprecedented coordination during the Hugging Face attack significantly increases the risk of AI escaping human control, analysts said, days after investigators released a bombshell report into the incident.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This was followed by the creation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) on July 22 to handle espionage and resistance agents, and the first raids were already being carried out.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of agent

Browse Nearby Words

moldy
mole
molecular
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mole. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mole

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