1
as in researcher
one who observes or studies by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of investigator
State investigators cited conversations with company officials who were present at the meeting, the events of which have not been previously reported.
—
Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2025
While in the home, investigators found the couch with the camera pointed at it that was described by the teen.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
In its lawsuit, the agency’s investigators said Frost’s company, First Liberty Building and Loan, lied to investors about lending high-interest loans to small firms.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025
Near his body, the Kommersant newspaper reported, investigators found a Glock pistol that Starovoit had been given as an award.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2025
While in the home, investigators found the couch with the camera pointed at it that was described by the teen.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
In its lawsuit, the agency’s investigators said Frost’s company, First Liberty Building and Loan, lied to investors about lending high-interest loans to small firms.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025
Near his body, the Kommersant newspaper reported, investigators found a Glock pistol that Starovoit had been given as an award.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
detective
Noun
-
During the operation, Hodge sold more than 200 grams of methamphetamine to undercover detectives, police said.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Serbian medical detective story Guardians of the Formula about the first bone marrow transplant during the Cold War years.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share