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
Though an exhaustive search was conducted, including an intensive investigation by authorities, private investigators and true-crime enthusiasts, Natalee, who was 18 at the time, was never found.
—
Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Prime Video’s Spider-Noir set in the sultry crime world of Depression-era New York City, follows an older Spider-Man, Ben Reilly, now working as a private investigator after leaving his superhero past behind him.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 May 2026
Set in 1930s New York, the show follows Ben, a private investigator who’s been in a rut since the death of a loved one.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Did Paige DeSorbo really hire a private investigator to find out if West and Amanda were dating, and did that person take the video?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Prime Video’s Spider-Noir set in the sultry crime world of Depression-era New York City, follows an older Spider-Man, Ben Reilly, now working as a private investigator after leaving his superhero past behind him.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 May 2026
Set in 1930s New York, the show follows Ben, a private investigator who’s been in a rut since the death of a loved one.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Did Paige DeSorbo really hire a private investigator to find out if West and Amanda were dating, and did that person take the video?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Authorities asked anyone with information about Moore's whereabouts to contact detectives at 803-358-7271 or Midlands Crimestoppers.—
Stephen Sorace , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Inbred eccentrics and bumbling detectives have populated the seaside villages of Bruno Dumont’s absurdist comedies.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Noun
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In the video recorded at the Elliot Key Marina shortly after the collision, Pino can be seen telling the investigator that his attention was split immediately before the accident.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
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The Police Department in Friday’s post said the arrest by its Major Collisions Unit followed an investigation by responding officers, detectives and crime scene investigators that involved a four-hour neighborhood canvass.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The stylistic eccentricities have been dialed back, including the use of old Hollywood film clips to reflect the action and possibly the thoughts of its main character, a cinephile from space, who is both practicing and enacting the work of a private detective.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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William Hopper’s Paul Drake assisted as Mason’s go-to private detective with a knack for finding the evidence Mason and his clients needed.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Oddball comedies, private eye film noir superheroes, tense kidnapping thrillers and much, much more all make their way onto this weekend’s friendly neighborhood weekend streaming guide.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
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Daniel was with Caron from the very beginning of Moonlighting, which starred Shepherd as Maddie Hayes, owner of the struggling Blue Moon Detective Agency, and Bruce Willis as David Addison, the playful private eye who goes to work for her.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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