investigator

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tor in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce investigator (audio)
plural investigators
Synonyms of investigatornext
: one who investigates something: such as
a
: detective
a private investigator
Debra Winger plays the investigator who becomes fixated on identifying a killer …Margaret Rauch
b
: a person who conducts experiments or is involved in scientific studies for research
the lead investigator in a clinical trial
For dialect recording, it is best for the investigator to take down as full and accurate notes as possible without slowing down the pace of the interview.Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.

Synonyms of investigator

Examples of investigator in a Sentence

investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thus far, investigators have recovered two firearms, both from the United States. Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 18 June 2026 The first officer was then pulled off the crash for jurisdictional reasons and relayed inaccurate information to another investigator — saying the driver had nothing to drink that day. Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 17 June 2026 Based on an investigator’s findings, the department may force the school to fix the problem. Alia Wong, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 His on-the-ground research helped US investigators build their case against Latchford. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigator was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigator. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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