Synonyms of sleuth

sleuth

noun

ˈslüth 

as in detective

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

the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sleuth

And starring Barbie Ferreira as a vigilante web sleuth, their latest project successfully tapped into an earlier strain of viral folklore that resonated strongly with IndieWire’s chief film critic David Ehrlich. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

While Freddy was in Boston mourning Germany’s defeat, online sleuths excavated the least-savory tidbits from his X posting history. — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Groups of amateur sleuths also cropped up in the hollows of tragedy to wrestle with the case and analyze rumors swarming the Horman family in online forums, echoing a familiar pattern of behavior on the internet in the face of long-unsolved criminal cases. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 22 June 2026

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