noun

Stasi

STAH-zee

Quiz me More like this

Stasi (noun) means someone who spies on or closely monitors others in a way associated with secret police, often said of intrusive surveillance. Example: “Employees complained that the new tracking software made management feel like the Stasi.”

noun

Someone who spies on or closely monitors others in a way associated with secret police, often said of intrusive surveillance.

"Employees complained that the new tracking software made management feel like the Stasi."

"She joked that her nosy neighbor acted like a one-woman Stasi for the whole street."

Someone who is needlessly strict or forces their own rules and views onto other people.

"His younger brother turned into a real Stasi about kitchen cleanliness after moving out."

How to use Stasi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed loosely (usually lower-case) to describe someone acting like a spy or an overly strict enforcer of rules.

When to use it

Informal and often exaggerated for comic effect, though it references a real and feared secret police force.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Stasi.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Test yourself on “Stasi” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Employees complained that the new tracking software made management feel like the _____.

Etymology

From the abbreviated German name of East Germany's Ministry for State Security, the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, notorious for surveilling its own citizens.

Origin: German

Rhymes for Stasi

Asi

See all rhymes for Stasi →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Stasi” mean?

The word “Stasi” means someone who spies on or closely monitors others in a way associated with secret police, often said of intrusive surveillance. In plain terms, used loosely (usually lower-case) to describe someone acting like a spy or an overly strict enforcer of rules.

How do you pronounce “Stasi”?

“Stasi” is pronounced STAH-zee (/ˈstɑːzi/ in IPA).

How do you use “Stasi” in a sentence?

Here is “Stasi” used in a sentence: “Employees complained that the new tracking software made management feel like the Stasi.”

What part of speech is “Stasi”?

“Stasi” is a noun.

Where does the word “Stasi” come from?

The word “Stasi” comes from German. From the abbreviated German name of East Germany's Ministry for State Security, the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, notorious for surveilling its own citizens.

How many meanings does “Stasi” have?

“Stasi” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who spies on or closely monitors others in a way associated with secret police, often said of intrusive surveillance.