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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sleuth
They were first linked in 2023 Internet sleuths first caught wind that O'Brien was off the market when the Teen Wolf alum was seen holding hands with Lange during Paris Fashion Week in January 2023, per Entertainment Tonight.
—
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 9 May 2025
The suspect’s name leaked shortly before 12 p.m. Minnesota time Saturday, giving amateur sleuths and conspiracy theorists additional fodder.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 17 June 2025
Those sleuths aren’t so smart themselves, mistakenly thinking that Kat and her gang are the masterminds behind London’s drug trafficking.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
The discovery of the treasure, worth as much as $680,000, has set off a search among historians and amateur sleuths to figure out who might have hidden the riches.
—Sara Cincurova, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 9 May 2025
The suspect’s name leaked shortly before 12 p.m. Minnesota time Saturday, giving amateur sleuths and conspiracy theorists additional fodder.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 17 June 2025
Those sleuths aren’t so smart themselves, mistakenly thinking that Kat and her gang are the masterminds behind London’s drug trafficking.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
The discovery of the treasure, worth as much as $680,000, has set off a search among historians and amateur sleuths to figure out who might have hidden the riches.
—Sara Cincurova, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
-
The victim’s relatives showed detectives a photo of Ackerman and the victim in the same area the victim’s body had been located, according to an affidavit.—
Caroline Zimmerman
July 7,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, back at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the scientific detective work is about to begin.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
In its lawsuit, the agency’s investigators said Frost’s company, First Liberty Building and Loan, lied to investors about lending high-interest loans to small firms.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
11 July 2025
-
Near his body, the Kommersant newspaper reported, investigators found a Glock pistol that Starovoit had been given as an award.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share