as in investigator
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detective
Fox News Digital has learned from sources that only one detective on the homicide squad has been in that position for over two years.
—
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Godliman and Singh will play female detectives in a twist on the original series, which starred Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan in the titular roles.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
During the April 2022 phone call with the sheriff’s detectives, Wood said nothing was stolen from her home when the intruder broke into their home and shot her and her husband.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
That effort has since shifted to a criminal investigation, with detectives canvassing the neighborhood and reviewing surveillance footage.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Godliman and Singh will play female detectives in a twist on the original series, which starred Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan in the titular roles.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
During the April 2022 phone call with the sheriff’s detectives, Wood said nothing was stolen from her home when the intruder broke into their home and shot her and her husband.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
That effort has since shifted to a criminal investigation, with detectives canvassing the neighborhood and reviewing surveillance footage.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detective
Noun
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At the same time, investigators face challenges including verifying ransom demands in the digital age.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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The Sheriff’s Department posted on social media to say access was restricted to the road in front of the home to give investigators space.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This strategy of sending the notes to the media could be designed to ratchet up pressure, said Eric O’Neill, a former FBI counterintelligence operative and cybersecurity expert.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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That unnamed co-conspirator is widely believed to be longtime Oakland political operative Mario Juarez, who twice ran for City Council himself but was never elected.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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