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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detective
Sheriff's detectives and the FBI are encouraging anyone with any information or anyone who has made contact with Melodee in the last year to contact them.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The group is currently working on a reinterpretation of the iconic Swedish detective series Wallander.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The report noted that Le refused to speak with detectives.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Tipsters may also call homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The group is currently working on a reinterpretation of the iconic Swedish detective series Wallander.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The report noted that Le refused to speak with detectives.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Tipsters may also call homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detective
Noun
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Less than 24 hours later, investigators say Lauren Spors beat her mother to death with a rock.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in an October 26 statement that investigators made the arrests the previous evening.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For a series about misfit intelligence operatives doggedly refusing to live up to even the lowest level of their potential, Apple TV’s Slow Horses is remarkably self-actualized.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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Rightly considered a supercar in its day, Aston Martin’s DB5 is arguably the first vehicle to attain superstar status as well, thanks to playing the sidekick of covert operative James Bond in the 1964 film Goldfinger.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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