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
• fed
• shadow
• G-man

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detective

Her husband, a homicide detective, had investigated Diane Downs, an Oregon mother convicted in 1984 of killing two of her children. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

After looking into his relatives, detectives learned of Stephens, who police suspected was the rapist. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

For years, detectives continued to revisit the case and pursue new leads, according to police. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Three days later, the police superintendent and a detective met with Jayaram, Brearey, and another doctor, to discuss an e-mail that Jayaram had sent them directly, bypassing the executives. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing detective

• private detective