Synonyms of detective

detective

noun

as in investigator

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective

Synonyms & Similar Words

• investigator
• operative
• sleuth
• dick
• gumshoe
• private investigator
• private detective
• private eye
• shamus
• sherlock
• sleuthhound
• tracer
• tracker
• hawkshaw
• Federal
• tail
• narc
• plainclothesman
• nark
• fed
• shadow
• G-man

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detective

Less than a year ago, two Elgin detectives were named to the police department’s new cold case unit. —Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Witnesses can also contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025

Around the same time, Salinas police detectives heard from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which received a tip from an online service provider that Betancourt accessed obscene material involving minors engaged in lewd acts. —Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025

Gun Violence Unit detectives were notified to investigate. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing detective

• private detective