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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detective
The Arnold Police Department and Westmoreland County detectives are now investigating.
—
Michael Guise, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Columbus police have not answered CNN’s questions about whether detectives have zeroed in on a suspect or a possible motive; how the assailant got into the house; whether the couple was targeted; or whether there is any ongoing threat to the public.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
There was a 14% drop in shoplifting and retail theft, with at least half of the thefts ending in arrest thanks to a re-synching of resources from patrol officers, transit cops, detectives and prosecutors, officials said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
McGrath has worked as a detective, public information officer and patrol sergeant.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Michael Guise, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Columbus police have not answered CNN’s questions about whether detectives have zeroed in on a suspect or a possible motive; how the assailant got into the house; whether the couple was targeted; or whether there is any ongoing threat to the public.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
There was a 14% drop in shoplifting and retail theft, with at least half of the thefts ending in arrest thanks to a re-synching of resources from patrol officers, transit cops, detectives and prosecutors, officials said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
McGrath has worked as a detective, public information officer and patrol sergeant.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detective
Noun
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Minnesota officials have claimed federal authorities blocked state investigators from accessing evidence in the case and asserted that the state lacks jurisdiction to independently investigate the killing, according to the AP.—
Greg Wehner , Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
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Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and repeatedly slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented, smashing its headlights and knocking off its front bumper.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cuban operatives played a central role in shaping how the regime monitored dissent and protected senior leadership, embedding themselves inside Venezuela’s intelligence services.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Alexis Rodríguez Cabello A Venezuelan politician and longtime Chavista operative best known for his family and political ties to Diosdado Cabello, Alexis Rodríguez Cabello is currently head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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