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
Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.
—
Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Los Angeles County Fire officials are still investigating the fire’s start and have not commented on a possible cause, but private investigators and Southern California Edison officials have focused their attention on the canyon transmission towers.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
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.
Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Los Angeles County Fire officials are still investigating the fire’s start and have not commented on a possible cause, but private investigators and Southern California Edison officials have focused their attention on the canyon transmission towers.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 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 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share