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

Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators are also looking into if the man was connected to the shooting reported the previous night. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

The scripts were written based on their own reporting, including court documents, investigation transcripts, and interviews with detectives, witnesses, and even Laurie Valdez, an old friend of Wuornos’ who’d never previously spoken with the press. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Investigators say a black handgun was located next to the vehicle and later seized by detectives. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

No charges were announced as Calumet Area detectives continued their investigation. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Her death remains a mystery as detectives try to determine why she was killed. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026

Sharon Raydor, played by Mary McDonnell, in charge of her team, an endearing, quirky crew of veteran detectives who show up en masse at every crime scene like Mystery Incorporated. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Homicide detectives are working to determine what led up to the killing. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Police said gang-unit detectives are investigating the shooting. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026