1
as in researcher
one who observes or studies by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated
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2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of investigator
Police officials on Friday morning announced investigators had made an arrest in connection with a shooting last month during UC Davis’ Picnic Day events at a neighborhood park, where three people were wounded by gunfire after suspects opened fire and large crowds scattered.
—
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Messages to Castillo from friends went unanswered, prompting Colorado River Station deputies and investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to begin an initial search for her with no results.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Between August and October 2019, investigators reportedly seized more than $200,000 from members of the organization.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 May 2025
Similarly, in October 2023, Orange County investigators used the technology to identity Michael Ray Schlicht of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose body had been found in 1974 near in unincorporated Laguna Hills, now the city of Aliso Viejo, California.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Messages to Castillo from friends went unanswered, prompting Colorado River Station deputies and investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to begin an initial search for her with no results.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Between August and October 2019, investigators reportedly seized more than $200,000 from members of the organization.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 May 2025
Similarly, in October 2023, Orange County investigators used the technology to identity Michael Ray Schlicht of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose body had been found in 1974 near in unincorporated Laguna Hills, now the city of Aliso Viejo, California.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
detective
Noun
-
Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives are searching for a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a man Sunday night outside a pub in Fair Oaks.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2025
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The woman showed detectives her call history and a text thread with Stumph, confirming her statement, court records said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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