Surveillance refers to the act of closely monitoring or observing individuals, groups, or activities to gather information or ensure compliance with rules, regulations, or security measures. It is commonly used in contexts related to law enforcement, security, health, and business to detect suspicious behavior, ensure safety, or collect data for analysis. Surveillance can be carried out through physical observation or with the help of technology, such as cameras, tracking devices, or digital monitoring tools. It serves to ensure that activities are happening as intended, to prevent wrongdoing, and to gather evidence when necessary. Depending on the context, surveillance can be covert or overt and may involve ethical considerations related to privacy and consent.
Example Sentences
- The store used surveillance cameras to prevent theft and monitor customer behavior.
- Law enforcement agencies have increased surveillance on high-risk individuals suspected of criminal activity.
- The company implemented surveillance of its network to detect any unauthorized access or cyber threats.
- The city council approved the use of surveillance drones to monitor traffic patterns and improve safety.
- Surveillance footage from the security cameras provided critical evidence in solving the case.
- The hospital employs surveillance systems to track the spread of infections within the facility.
- The government increased surveillance after reports of potential threats to national security.
- Surveillance by private investigators helped uncover the fraudulent activities of the company.
- The surveillance team worked around the clock to ensure that the event ran smoothly and securely.
- The use of surveillance technology has raised concerns about privacy violations in many countries.
Synonyms
- Observation
- Monitoring
- Supervision
- Inspection
- Scrutiny
- Tracking
- Watch
- Oversight
- Surveillance system
- Vigilance
Antonyms
- Inattention
- Neglect
- Disregard
- Ignorance
- Abandonment
- Unawareness
- Carelessness
- Overlooking
- Unsupervised
- Freedom
Related Words
- Security
- Observation
- Privacy
- Intelligence
- Investigation
- Monitoring
- Tracking
- Law enforcement
- Protection
- Detection
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Keep an eye on: To watch or monitor someone or something closely, often as part of surveillance.
- Look into: To investigate or monitor something in detail, often for security or investigative purposes.
- Check up on: To verify or investigate the activities of someone or something, typically through surveillance methods.
- Watch over: To monitor or supervise someone or something to ensure safety or proper conduct.
- Keep tabs on: To monitor or track something continuously, often for security reasons.
Idiomatic Expressions
- Under surveillance: To be closely watched or monitored, often for security or investigative purposes.
- Big brother is watching: A phrase often used to refer to the perception of constant, often invasive, surveillance by the government or an authority figure.
- On the radar: To be monitored or observed, often in the context of surveillance for security or intelligence purposes.
- In the spotlight: To be under close observation or scrutiny, often due to surveillance or public attention.
- Eyes everywhere: To have extensive monitoring or surveillance in place to ensure that nothing goes unnoticed.
Surveillance is the act of observing or monitoring activities to gather information or ensure compliance with regulations, often used in security, law enforcement, and health. Synonyms like “monitoring,” “tracking,” and “supervision” reflect its purpose in maintaining control and ensuring proper conduct. Antonyms such as “inattention” and “neglect” emphasize the lack of oversight and security. Related words like “security” and “investigation” highlight the importance of surveillance in various fields such as law enforcement, privacy concerns, and public safety. Phrasal verbs like “keep an eye on” and idioms like “under surveillance” capture the concept of constant or discreet observation. Surveillance plays a critical role in ensuring safety, preventing crime, and gathering intelligence, but it also raises important ethical considerations, particularly regarding privacy.
