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
Based on the book by Slow Horses scribe Mick Herron, in Down Cemetery Road, when a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbor Sarah Trafford (Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson).
—
Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 Sep. 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
And so is Marty, who turns out to be Don’s private investigator.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 Sep. 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
And so is Marty, who turns out to be Don’s private investigator.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Maybe archaeologists and detectives are not so different.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Oct. 2025
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Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call state police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office at 508-832-9124 or Gardner police at 978-632-5600.—
Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Less than 24 hours later, investigators say Lauren Spors beat her mother to death with a rock.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in an October 26 statement that investigators made the arrests the previous evening.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Her super-powered private detective first appeared on Netflix's Jessica Jones — the streamer's second Marvel series after the original Daredevil — in 2015.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thomas Pynchon's first novel in 12 years, Shadow Ticket, is a mystery that dives into the disappearance of a cheese heiress and draws private eye Hicks McTaggart down a rabbit hole.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
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One Battle, like his other recent movies, is based on a book by Thomas Pynchon, the James Joyce of private eye novelists.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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