private investigator

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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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of private investigator The funds will help pay for a private investigator, rewards, posters and more. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024 Atlas hired a private investigator to contact Babel Street. Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2024 This was discovered after Kirat hired a private investigator to find Bobby, only to find that the real Bobby had no recollection or knowledge of their relationship. Charley Ross, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2024 Desperate for answers, the family hired a private investigator in Houston who specializes in these types of cases. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
  • In 2010, cold case detectives recovered additional items and sent them for DNA testing, leading to the DNA profile of a male suspect.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Police said no suspects were in custody and that area detectives were investigating the shooting.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The lieutenant also said investigators have taken statements from the dozens of witnesses who were in the area, and are also gathering video surveillance.
    NBC San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Mike Morgan, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said Thursday that investigators were leaning toward ruling the start of the fire as human-caused.
    Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • According to the lawsuit that Rocky later filed, the father of seven claimed Kevin hired a private detective to investigate Keiko.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
  • There is a big difference between hiring a skilled private detective and pulling an OSINT report at your convenience.
    Tom Madsen, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The series mixes the everyday with the inexplicable beautifully, with a standout performance by Cynthia Erivo as an eccentric private eye.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
  • The report also indicates the two have taken care to keep their romance out of the private eye for what seems to be a substantial amount of time.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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