as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleuth
Swift wore a striped silk-blend dress in shades of cream and black by Ralph Lauren for the proposal, according to internet sleuths and reports in People and Harper's Bazaar.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Sherlock fanatics may recall that Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Baker Street’s greatest sleuth was blessed with hints of wicked humor sublimated under those manic, elementary deductions.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The news of the two pop culture sweethearts getting engaged nearly broke the internet as fans expressed their glee and warm wishes, while others played amateur sleuths to figure out just how the engagement took place.
—Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Aug. 2025
Student sleuths searched for clues.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Sherlock fanatics may recall that Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Baker Street’s greatest sleuth was blessed with hints of wicked humor sublimated under those manic, elementary deductions.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The news of the two pop culture sweethearts getting engaged nearly broke the internet as fans expressed their glee and warm wishes, while others played amateur sleuths to figure out just how the engagement took place.
—Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Aug. 2025
Student sleuths searched for clues.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
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After being taken to the precinct to speak with detectives, Stevenson was booked into the Shasta County Jail on a murder charge, where he is being held without bail.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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But less than two weeks later, the detectives called him and said the money was on its way back.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call investigators at 916-210-2871.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
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Witnesses told investigators that the man had been firing the handgun out of the vehicle’s window before encountering the officers, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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