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
The pic follows Rourke’s private investigator who is hired to solve the mysterious disappearance of a singer known as Johnny Favorite.
—
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Set in 1930s New York, the show follows Ben, a private investigator who’s been in a rut since the death of a loved one.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Did Paige DeSorbo really hire a private investigator to find out if West and Amanda were dating, and did that person take the video?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 May 2026
Cage plays 1930s private investigator Ben Reilly who is also a web-slinging superhero.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
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Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Set in 1930s New York, the show follows Ben, a private investigator who’s been in a rut since the death of a loved one.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Did Paige DeSorbo really hire a private investigator to find out if West and Amanda were dating, and did that person take the video?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 May 2026
Cage plays 1930s private investigator Ben Reilly who is also a web-slinging superhero.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 25 May 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 1 Jun. 2026.
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