as in investigators
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detectives
Based on witness statements, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Salvador Villalaz, the Sheriff’s Office said.
—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2026
The police car, a silver Ford Taurus used by the investigation division, contained two Oakland police homicide detectives who were able to continue their shift after the crash, authorities said.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
5 July 2026
Police ask any witnesses who were not contacted by authorities at the scene to contact detectives at (805) 654-9511.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Based on that ruling and their investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Sutphin with murder, the police said.
—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
3 July 2026
Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and homicide detectives are investigating.
—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
On June 12, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Pollock on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.
—
Sofia Saric
june 23,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
Thompson said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact KCPD homicide unit detectives at 816-234-5043, or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
—
Kendrick Calfee
june 24,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
An investigation led detectives to obtain search warrants for two other homes on Emily Lane, officials said.
—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2026
The police car, a silver Ford Taurus used by the investigation division, contained two Oakland police homicide detectives who were able to continue their shift after the crash, authorities said.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
5 July 2026
Police ask any witnesses who were not contacted by authorities at the scene to contact detectives at (805) 654-9511.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Based on that ruling and their investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Sutphin with murder, the police said.
—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
3 July 2026
Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and homicide detectives are investigating.
—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
On June 12, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Pollock on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.
—
Sofia Saric
june 23,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
Thompson said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact KCPD homicide unit detectives at 816-234-5043, or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
—
Kendrick Calfee
june 24,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
An investigation led detectives to obtain search warrants for two other homes on Emily Lane, officials said.
—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.
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Police located and arrested the three suspects on June 30, though the investigation remains active as investigators search for any outstanding suspects.
Noun
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Political operatives tied to Florida Power & Light’s parent company were involved in the scandal, and a former Republican state senator was convicted of violating campaign finance laws.
-
That ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the paramilitary group Hezbollah and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, an area in southern Lebanon.
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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