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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Wilson County Sheriff’s Office detectives also found seven shell casings.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
14 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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Anyone with information about the crash who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact the Colorado State Patrol dispatch at 970-249-4392 and reference case VC250372.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
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Monday’s sentencing marks the end of a years-long legal battle between Laffitte and his victims, after Laffitte was reportedly the first to face federal charges as investigators looked to take down the Murdaugh empire.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 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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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
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Hicks McTaggart, a reluctant private eye riding the industry’s transition from strikebreaking (labor suppression was once a major part of the private-detective business) to investigating cheating spouses, gets swept up in a case concerning the bombing of a bootlegger’s hooch wagon.—
Jack Denton,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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