private investigator

noun

Synonyms of private investigatornext
: 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)

Synonyms of private investigator

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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
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.
Garcia said the Directed Response Unit was contacted by a private investigator about Lindsey’s location at the M&M Inn and Suites, at 101 Palette Drive in far south Fort Worth. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 The show follows a private investigator, Rapp, played by Reid, who heads to a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of Henry Park, played by Williams, the young heir to a powerful fishery. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026 Yaga stars Schitt’s Creek alum Noah Reid as Rapp, a private investigator who arrives in a small coastal town following the disappearance of a young heir to a powerful fishery. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 The big twist was always going to make or break Sugar, Apple TV’s contemporary neo-noir starring Colin Farrell as a dapper, tender, classic Hollywood–loving private investigator who happens to be a blue-skinned extraterrestrial in human disguise. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for private investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was in 1940

Rhymes for private investigator

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Browse Nearby Words

private insurance
private investigator
private joke
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Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

private investigator

noun
: a person who does detective work and is not a member of a police force

Legal Definition

private investigator

noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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