prying Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun offensive inquisitiveness
   nosiness; snoopiness.
   
2. verb to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
   lever; prise; jimmy; pry; prize.
   
   • The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail
3. verb be nosey
   pry.
   
   • Don't pry into my personal matters!
4. verb search or inquire in a meddlesome way
   horn in; intrude; poke; pry; nose.
   
   • This guy is always nosing around the office
5. verb make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry
   prise; pry.
   
   • They pried the information out of him
6. adjective satellite offensively curious or inquisitive
   nosy; snoopy; nosey.
   
   • curious about the neighbor's doings
   • he flipped through my letters in his nosy way
   • prying eyes
   • the snoopy neighbor watched us all day

WordNet