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.
Angels In Darkness follows a troubled private investigator who uncovers a secret cult’s plan to unleash an ancient force, as the boundary between worlds begins to collapse. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Multiple references are made to an op-ed Weist wrote making a case for greater regulation of the private investigator industry. — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective turned high-profile private investigator, believes one phone call could still crack the case. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 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 14 Jul. 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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