Synonyms of detective

detective

noun

as in investigator

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective

Synonyms & Similar Words

• investigator
• operative
• sleuth
• dick
• gumshoe
• private investigator
• private detective
• private eye
• shamus
• sherlock
• sleuthhound
• tracer
• tracker
• hawkshaw
• Federal
• tail
• narc
• plainclothesman
• fed
• shadow
• G-man

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detective

Country Club Hills police detective Jason Strayer, who was a member of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, testified Williams was identified as a suspect early on. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

The series follows Jonah Lynn (played by Schreiber), an ex-soldier turned homicide detective who moves from Philadelphia to western Pennsylvania for a quieter life. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Rodriguez turned himself in to detectives on Wednesday evening and was taken to the Hartford Police Department’s detention facility for processing, Boisvert said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Montgomery County detectives at 610-278-3368 or Cheltenham police at 215-885-1600 ext. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing detective

• private detective