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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
Working with a private investigator can help with that.
—
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Despite enlisting the help of her private investigator best friend, Stacey (Jessica Plummer), Kat can’t seem to track down Josh.
—Yasmin Garaad, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Years later, a private investigator working for Palacios’ defense team would make a critical discovery: other suspects overlooked by police.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Trump allowed weeks to go by before signing the agreement, amid reports that his team was considering avoiding the FBI's involvement and outsourcing the vetting to private investigators.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Despite enlisting the help of her private investigator best friend, Stacey (Jessica Plummer), Kat can’t seem to track down Josh.
—Yasmin Garaad, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Years later, a private investigator working for Palacios’ defense team would make a critical discovery: other suspects overlooked by police.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Trump allowed weeks to go by before signing the agreement, amid reports that his team was considering avoiding the FBI's involvement and outsourcing the vetting to private investigators.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or through the TIPS hotline anonymously at (816) 474- TIPS.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
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The detective suffered head injuries, and his K-9 partner, Roxi, sustained life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At Diaz’s home, investigators reportedly found 90 rounds of ammunition.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2025
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Crash investigators are not blaming the air traffic controller directing the traffic, who advised the helicopter to be aware of the regional jet’s position in the area ahead of the crash.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition to hacking phones, the tabloids hired private detectives and encouraged journalists to lie and misrepresent themselves to gain access to highly personal data.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-87, the CBS primetime soap about a wealthy California wine family.—
Zoe G. Phillips,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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When a judge tentatively allowed the music to bang on this fall, sonic private eyes and city officials patrolled the neighborhood with microphones and decibel meters, gathering ammunition for the battle.—
Katie Thornton,
Rolling Stone,
20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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