Synonyms of detectives

detectives

noun

plural of detective

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

• investigators
• operatives
• sleuths
• dicks
• gumshoes
• private investigators
• private detectives
• private eyes
• sleuthhounds
• sherlocks
• shadows
• tracers
• hawkshaws
• trackers
• shamuses
• plainclothesmen
• feds
• narcs
• Federals
• tails
• G-men

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detectives

However, sheriff’s office detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026

In 2025, a psychic contacted the police department about Sophie’s case and shared information with detectives at no cost, Liening said. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Crime scene detectives were seen removing paper bags full of items from the apartment throughout the morning. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

When the case was reopened, detectives worked with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado, where Brown was living at the time, to obtain DNA from soda bottles found in his trash. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

On Thursday, detectives called Wright and told her to go to the Florida City Police Department for an interview. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

As for the shooting on Thursday, detectives from the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and hospital and are investigating the incident, the news release Friday from the police department said. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Based on witness statements, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Salvador Villalaz, the Sheriff’s Office said. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026

The police car, a silver Ford Taurus used by the investigation division, contained two Oakland police homicide detectives who were able to continue their shift after the crash, authorities said. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 5 July 2026