Stasi
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.”
How to use Stasi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed loosely (usually lower-case) to describe someone acting like a spy or an overly strict enforcer of rules.
Informal and often exaggerated for comic effect, though it references a real and feared secret police force.
Word forms
Stasi plural
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.
Rhymes for Stasi
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.