as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
As part of its probe, the U.S. is trying to extradite an Israeli private investigator named Amit Forlit from the United Kingdom for allegedly orchestrating the hacking campaign.
—
Michael Copley, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
In Sugar, which premiered last April, Colin Farrell plays a movie-loving Los Angeles private investigator who is also — final spoiler warning — an alien.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
The Duke of Sussex accused The Sun of using a private investigator to illegally obtaining Meghan's call records and flight details at the start of their relationship in 2016.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The Duke of Sussex's trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, centers on allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Michael Copley, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
In Sugar, which premiered last April, Colin Farrell plays a movie-loving Los Angeles private investigator who is also — final spoiler warning — an alien.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
The Duke of Sussex accused The Sun of using a private investigator to illegally obtaining Meghan's call records and flight details at the start of their relationship in 2016.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The Duke of Sussex's trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, centers on allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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This is a complex incident, and detectives continue to work through all aspects of the investigation.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Heidenreich has denied involvement in his girlfriend's death, per the AAP, despite admitting that his stepfather — a former Cairns police officer — was friendly with a detective working on the murder case.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The National Transportation Safety Board said a team of U.S. investigators will participate in the probe.—
Laya Neelakandan,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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In the basement, investigators found Arnold’s blood, according to prosecutors.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Winbush plays a former FBI agent and old friend of Ted's who now works as a private detective, according to Variety.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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In the stylish crime-drama Farrell plays John Sugar, a private detective who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a big-time Hollywood producer’s granddaughter while battling some personal demons of his own.—
Jennifer M. Wood,
WIRED,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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These private eyes spy on children in order to determine who is or isn’t living within the district’s strict attendance boundaries.—
Tim Deroche,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
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In that time, Will has started over as a private eye in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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