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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
According to court records, Recio agreed to bribe Costanzo, who was the DEA supervisor in Miami, in exchange for his providing the private investigator with confidential information about narcotics investigations.
—
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate was also allegedly targeted by a private investigator on behalf of a Mail journalist, the lawyers said.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The network has given a series order to RJ Decker (a working title), starring Scott Speedman as a South Florida private investigator.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate was also allegedly targeted by a private investigator on behalf of a Mail journalist, the lawyers said.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The network has given a series order to RJ Decker (a working title), starring Scott Speedman as a South Florida private investigator.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Homicide detectives deemed the death suspicious and began investigating.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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The show is also adding Ashley Walters, who earned an Emmy nomination for his incredible turn playing the lead detective in Netflix’s Adolescence.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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According to federal investigators, Neves Velente was responsible for both the Brown University mass shooting that killed two students and injured nine and the murder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Nuno Loureiro, each of which occurred in December.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
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During the search, officials say that investigators found a series of short videos made by Neves Valente after the shootings.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Joining Phillips as the Victorian era private detective are Sam Buchanan as Detective George Willows, who joins Scotland Yard after rising through the police ranks; and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Isabel Summers, an ambitious young woman who joins the Clerical Office.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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And while the chemistry in the show — which followed a former model (Shepherd) and a detective (Bruce) who manage a private detective agency — was undeniable, a feud was seemingly brewing behind the scenes.—
Abby Stern,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Brian Albert, former Boston cop and now Brockton private eye extraordinaire, will hold a press conference to announce the hiring of his two newest very ethical crack sleuths – Michael Proctor and Kelly Dever.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
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The novel sometimes reads like a prequel to Gravity’s Rainbow; the private eye, Hicks McTaggart, moving through a universe already vibrating with the same febrile harmonics that will later detonate in the Second World War.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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