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

Now, a detective says the investigation into Wallace’s death helped lead police to the suspect on trial in Las Vegas in Shakur’s slaying. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The next day, he was moved to Room 2A, near where detectives found Tillman’s parked Chevy SUV, according to the report. — David Goodhue august 21, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

The Las Vegas detective asked Davis a series of questions about music mogul Sean Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records known back then as Puff Daddy. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Horrified by the gruesome scene, Police Chief Lucas Lind (Anders Mossling) places homicide detective Thomas Berg (Jakob Oftebro) in charge of the investigation. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing detective

• private detective