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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private detective
Colorado private detective Ollie Gray and his partner, John Sangustin, were hired by the Ramseys in 1999.
—
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
Per the report, citing one of three sources familiar with the matter, U.S. authorities believe the DCI Group, a public affairs and lobbying company working for Exxon back in 2015, had compiled a list of targets and provided them to an Israeli private detective, who then outsourced the hacking.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The series follows John Sugar (Farrell), a private detective in Los Angeles.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
In the late 1960s, the producer Monty Berman came up with an idea for a show titled Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) — called My Partner the Ghost in the U.S. — about two private detectives: Jeff Randall, played by Mike Pratt, and Marty Hopkirk, played by Cope.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private detective 
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
Per the report, citing one of three sources familiar with the matter, U.S. authorities believe the DCI Group, a public affairs and lobbying company working for Exxon back in 2015, had compiled a list of targets and provided them to an Israeli private detective, who then outsourced the hacking.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The series follows John Sugar (Farrell), a private detective in Los Angeles.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
In the late 1960s, the producer Monty Berman came up with an idea for a show titled Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) — called My Partner the Ghost in the U.S. — about two private detectives: Jeff Randall, played by Mike Pratt, and Marty Hopkirk, played by Cope.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective
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 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
Noun
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As part of its probe, the U.S. is trying to extradite an Israeli private investigator named Amit Forlit from the United Kingdom for allegedly orchestrating the hacking campaign.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
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In Sugar, which premiered last April, Colin Farrell plays a movie-loving Los Angeles private investigator who is also — final spoiler warning — an alien.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near private detective
Cite this Entry
“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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