as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
Key was previously in development on ABC series August Snow, set to executive produce and star as the titular Detroit private investigator in the adaptation of Stephen Mack Jones’ novels.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2025
Iza said he was frustrated by the private investigator’s lack of progress, prompting Saavedra to offer a solution: a search warrant for GPS location information associated with Zelocchi’s phone.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
None of the deaths are investigated, and when the tribe brings in their own private investigators, they’re murdered as well.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The wide-ranging scandal centered on private investigators who illegally hacked into the voicemails of news subjects and gathered information for Murdoch’s tabloids.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2025
Iza said he was frustrated by the private investigator’s lack of progress, prompting Saavedra to offer a solution: a search warrant for GPS location information associated with Zelocchi’s phone.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
None of the deaths are investigated, and when the tribe brings in their own private investigators, they’re murdered as well.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The wide-ranging scandal centered on private investigators who illegally hacked into the voicemails of news subjects and gathered information for Murdoch’s tabloids.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or through the TIPS hotline anonymously at (816) 474- TIPS.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
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The detective suffered head injuries, and his K-9 partner, Roxi, sustained life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At Diaz’s home, investigators reportedly found 90 rounds of ammunition.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2025
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Crash investigators are not blaming the air traffic controller directing the traffic, who advised the helicopter to be aware of the regional jet’s position in the area ahead of the crash.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition to hacking phones, the tabloids hired private detectives and encouraged journalists to lie and misrepresent themselves to gain access to highly personal data.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-87, the CBS primetime soap about a wealthy California wine family.—
Zoe G. Phillips,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In that time, Will has started over as a private eye in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
7 Jan. 2025
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When a judge tentatively allowed the music to bang on this fall, sonic private eyes and city officials patrolled the neighborhood with microphones and decibel meters, gathering ammunition for the battle.—
Katie Thornton,
Rolling Stone,
20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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