as in investigators
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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Recent Examples of detectives
However, detectives noted that the person of interest is currently in prison for an unrelated violent case, and people should no longer be afraid to speak up.
—
Ted Scouten, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Police said detectives later identified the Davis man as the suspect in the stabbing.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The person was not named by detectives.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Wentworth Area detectives were investigating.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The pair of Brooklyn North narcotics detectives involved in the clash thought the man matched the description of someone who had just made a drug sale, a police source said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
When Floyd is found dead at a community pool surrounded by a poisonous cocktail and a vintage Playgirl magazine, two detectives (Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday) begin unraveling the bizarre chain of events that led to his death.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Tipsters may also call homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Rivera said that detectives told her Xion was found on top of two of his little siblings after the shooting.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Ted Scouten, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Police said detectives later identified the Davis man as the suspect in the stabbing.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The person was not named by detectives.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Wentworth Area detectives were investigating.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The pair of Brooklyn North narcotics detectives involved in the clash thought the man matched the description of someone who had just made a drug sale, a police source said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
When Floyd is found dead at a community pool surrounded by a poisonous cocktail and a vintage Playgirl magazine, two detectives (Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday) begin unraveling the bizarre chain of events that led to his death.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Tipsters may also call homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Rivera said that detectives told her Xion was found on top of two of his little siblings after the shooting.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
-
Surveillance cameras and license plate readers are commonly used by investigators and have rarely been challenged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect accused of leading troopers on a police chase through Buckhead before crashing at one of the area's busiest intersections has now been identified, according to an update from investigators.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His former clients include the political operatives Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Every other California gubernatorial candidate is left to fight over the scraps, while voters and some political operatives have a dim view of the remaining field.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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