person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Fort Worth Police Department is seeking help from the public to identify and find a person of interest in a case of financial abuse of the elderly. — Mary Ella Hastings july 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 Maximus Morgan, 21, of Sacramento, was first detained at the scene as a person of interest in the homicide investigation. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 Morris County investigators have yet to name a suspect or person of interest in the case. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 Cops took a person of interest into custody. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

Rhymes for person of interest

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Browse Nearby Words

person of inherence
person of interest
person-to-person
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Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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