What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pry
Example
She tried to pry into my personal life, but I didn't want to share. [pry: verb]
Example
He used a crowbar to pry open the locked door. [pry: verb]
Example
I don't mean to pry, but why were you absent from work yesterday? [pry: verb]
snoop
Example
She snooped through my phone while I was in the shower. [snooped: past tense]
Example
He hired a private investigator to snoop on his wife. [snoop: verb]
Example
Why are you always snooping around my desk? [snoop: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snoop is more commonly used than pry in everyday language. Snoop is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pry is less common and refers to a specific type of intrusive behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pry and snoop?
Both pry and snoop are informal words and should be avoided in formal writing or speech.
