private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Examples of private investigator in a Sentence
She hired a private investigator to follow her husband.
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Couch, a former volunteer private investigator who had been working with the Engelbert family on the missing persons case, told Cowboy State Daily that the remains were located three to five miles from where Engelbert was last seen walking alone, as captured in the surveillance footage.
—
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
According to court records, Recio agreed to bribe Costanzo, who was the DEA supervisor in Miami, in exchange for his providing the private investigator with confidential information about narcotics investigations.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate was also allegedly targeted by a private investigator on behalf of a Mail journalist, the lawyers said.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
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David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
According to court records, Recio agreed to bribe Costanzo, who was the DEA supervisor in Miami, in exchange for his providing the private investigator with confidential information about narcotics investigations.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate was also allegedly targeted by a private investigator on behalf of a Mail journalist, the lawyers said.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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