private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Examples of private investigator in a Sentence
She hired a private investigator to follow her husband.
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Recent Examples on the Web
Did the Guthries hire their own private investigator?
—
Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
International private investigator Jay Armes III says the footage could be a major breakthrough.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Following her retirement, Albrecht became a private investigator.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
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Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
International private investigator Jay Armes III says the footage could be a major breakthrough.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Following her retirement, Albrecht became a private investigator.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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