Thesaurus results for SLEUTH

sleuth

noun

ˈslüth

Definition of sleuth

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

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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 Now that sleuths have deduced exactly where, the city is marking the spot. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The former students, members of the Chi Phi fraternity who graduated in 2022 and 2023, say online sleuths have wrongly pegged them for harassment, leading to negative personal and professional consequences. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 In the latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, a high-profile case falls to a novice sleuth while the agency’s founder is away. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026 Online sleuths and true-crime commentators following the broadcast trial had peddled conspiracy theories that Patrick Clancy actually killed the children and framed his wife. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleuth

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth

Noun

While searching the area, two other detectives spotted the Chevy parked at Southwest 64th Court and 88th Street.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Larry Baimbridge spent thirty-one years with the Houston Police Department, including stints as a homicide detective and as commander of the SWAT team.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of detective

Noun

The decades-long search for answers in Amy’s case inspired the couple to help establish the nonprofit, which helps to fund unsolved homicide investigations, train investigators and support victims’ families.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The footage showed the vehicles entering and exiting the site and allowed investigators to capture their vehicle identification numbers, which were forwarded to CBP, according to Earley.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigator

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slept out

sleuth

sleuthhound

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Style

“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sleuth

noun

Example Sentences

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