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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of detectives
California detectives alerted Miami Gardens Police, and law enforcement from several agencies began assembling to arrest Clayton.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
But after further investigation, Smith said that detectives determined the pedestrian was hit by only one vehicle, and that driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a radio interview on Sunday that three of the suspects so far have been linked to the Louvre robbery through DNA and insisted that detectives have not exhausted all the leads that have poured in since the probe began.
—ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Mandurah detectives are investigating, with police treating the attacks as suspicious, according to the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Police did not elaborate on how detectives came to that conclusion.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
Under the deal, 10 Nassau County detectives have been trained and designated to work with ICE on apprehensions and investigations, and the county has reserved 50 jail cells for ICE to hold detainees for up to 72 hours before deportation or charging.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Maybe archaeologists and detectives are not so different.
—JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2025
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
But after further investigation, Smith said that detectives determined the pedestrian was hit by only one vehicle, and that driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a radio interview on Sunday that three of the suspects so far have been linked to the Louvre robbery through DNA and insisted that detectives have not exhausted all the leads that have poured in since the probe began.
—ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Mandurah detectives are investigating, with police treating the attacks as suspicious, according to the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Police did not elaborate on how detectives came to that conclusion.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
Under the deal, 10 Nassau County detectives have been trained and designated to work with ICE on apprehensions and investigations, and the county has reserved 50 jail cells for ICE to hold detainees for up to 72 hours before deportation or charging.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Maybe archaeologists and detectives are not so different.
—JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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Fox wasn't interviewed at the time, Smyth said, adding that investigators at first focused on a dispute between Jackson and his landlord.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
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The driver immediately stopped, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Earle-Sears’s blowout even stunned veteran operatives accustomed to Virginia’s blue tilt.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025
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A lot of these operatives are operating from civilian areas.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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