as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private detective
After Beom-jun leaves the hospital against medical advice, Ju-yeon uses the private detective agency to switch out Beom-jun’s pain medication for fentanyl.
—
Kayti Burt, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
Taylor Russell is already on board as a suave private detective.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
The fifth book in the Pentecost and Parker mystery series finds Lillian Pentecost, an aging private detective with multiple sclerosis, under arrest for the murder of a wealthy financier.
—Liza Tully, People.com, 6 July 2025
The Italian Ferretti Group was the setting for a spy-vs-spy scenario that reportedly included private detectives shadowing an executive of the Italian builder’s primary Chinese investor and recording devices hidden in several offices, according to Bloomberg.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private detective
Kayti Burt, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
Taylor Russell is already on board as a suave private detective.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
The fifth book in the Pentecost and Parker mystery series finds Lillian Pentecost, an aging private detective with multiple sclerosis, under arrest for the murder of a wealthy financier.
—Liza Tully, People.com, 6 July 2025
The Italian Ferretti Group was the setting for a spy-vs-spy scenario that reportedly included private detectives shadowing an executive of the Italian builder’s primary Chinese investor and recording devices hidden in several offices, according to Bloomberg.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective
Noun
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During the operation, Hodge sold more than 200 grams of methamphetamine to undercover detectives, police said.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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According to investigators, Melina and her father crossed into the U.S. from Canada on July 11 for what was supposed to be a vacation.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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The suspect fled on foot and dropped the gun, according to investigators.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
Noun
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On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.—
Dwyer Murphy
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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The idea of a lesbian private eye isn’t even that new either, since Jess Franco had two in a pair of his most enjoyable exploitation movies (Sadisterotika and Kiss Me, Monster, both 1969).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Fed up, Anna hired a private investigator suggested by a friend of a friend who’s an entertainment mogul.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
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Her mother said a private investigator revealed that her daughter's boyfriend, William Canterbury, had previously been arrested for domestic violence.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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