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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detective
Uncovering the truth would lead Moore police detectives and the US Marshals Service on a manhunt that would span 13 years.
—
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Once detectives get involved, Jenny's nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Ruble didn't remember the name of this detective.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025
Witnesses said a silver Ford sedan fled the scene, and detectives later identified the driver as 57-year-old Humberto Munoz Gatica of Laguna Niguel, according to The Register.
—Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Once detectives get involved, Jenny's nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Ruble didn't remember the name of this detective.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025
Witnesses said a silver Ford sedan fled the scene, and detectives later identified the driver as 57-year-old Humberto Munoz Gatica of Laguna Niguel, according to The Register.
—Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detective
Noun
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Instead, the Kennedy focuses on the stark reality of a man fighting to protect himself and his family from Santa Fe prosecutors and investigators, who in the doc, seem driven less by the facts than by their interest in putting Baldwin on trial for his polarizing public persona.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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This allowed investigators to collect DNA, which led them to the teen, Scott said.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Muhammad Ali Hadid, a senior member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, was eliminated in Nabatieh, while another operative was struck in Ayta ash Shab after being seen collecting intelligence on Israeli positions.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Seasoned political operatives and experienced business executives Steve Silverman and Carrie Goux will lead the Washington office.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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