investigator

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tor in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce investigator (audio)
plural investigators
Synonyms of investigatornext
: one who investigates something: such as
a
: detective
a private investigator
Debra Winger plays the investigator who becomes fixated on identifying a killer …Margaret Rauch
b
: a person who conducts experiments or is involved in scientific studies for research
the lead investigator in a clinical trial
For dialect recording, it is best for the investigator to take down as full and accurate notes as possible without slowing down the pace of the interview.Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.

Synonyms of investigator

Examples of investigator in a Sentence

investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
Recent Examples on the Web
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While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 In court Friday, the judge agreed to allow Parente to release surveillance camera footage compiled by investigators in an attempt to prove Martinez was part of a larger coalition of resistors who were attempting to impede immigration agents during Midway Blitz. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 While investigators continue to evaluate the validity of the notes, some Americans may wonder if the Bitcoin address would be enough to find the culprit or at least narrow the search for the kidnapper. Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 The three investigators have such great chemistry. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigator was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigator. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

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