pry

[prahy] / praɪ /

VERB

interfere in someone else's business

Synonyms

STRONGEST

poke

STRONG

bug gape gaze hunt inquire intrude investigate meddle nose peek peep peer ransack reconnoiter rubberneck search snoop spy stare tap wiretap

WEAK

be a busybody be all ears be curious be inquisitive be nosy ferret out listen in poke nose into tune in on

Antonyms

STRONG

ignore neglect

WEAK

close leave alone

VERB

force or break open

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extract pull wrest

STRONG

disengage disjoin divide elevate elicit extort heave hoist jimmy lever lift move press prize push raise rear separate tear tilt turn twist uplift upraise wring

WEAK

pick up take up turn out uprear

Antonyms

STRONG

abandon attach combine connect decrease demote depress destroy discourage dissuade drop fall fix hide join keep lessen lower neglect repress stop straighten suppress unite untwist

WEAK

close leave alone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Perez’s case is one of several in which the Civilian Oversight Commission has tried unsuccessfully to pry records out of the Sheriff’s Department.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

We asked some parenting experts for their tips on how to pry those phones away from their offspring's hands – even if only for a short while.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

France, the U.K. and the Soviet Union worked together in mine-sweeping operations to pry the chokepoint open.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

The renewed effort to pry open these archives stems from the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025

“I don’t mean to pry, I just found it interesting. I hope you will forgive me for looking through it.”

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

pry

Example Sentences

Related Words