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
Authorities said detectives are still working to identify four teenage boys using surveillance video.
—
Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Due to the suspect’s position of trust, detectives believe there may be additional victims, Shih said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Four people were found dead inside, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Police said in a statement Wednesday that detectives had not developed evidence to support the conclusion that there was a political component to the attack.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Vazquez was arrested May 14 after detectives obtained a warrant for her arrest, and she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
In 2017, detectives used DNA samples preserved from Walls' body and the area in which she was found to create an image of a person of interest, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 20 May 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
Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Due to the suspect’s position of trust, detectives believe there may be additional victims, Shih said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Four people were found dead inside, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Police said in a statement Wednesday that detectives had not developed evidence to support the conclusion that there was a political component to the attack.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Vazquez was arrested May 14 after detectives obtained a warrant for her arrest, and she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
In 2017, detectives used DNA samples preserved from Walls' body and the area in which she was found to create an image of a person of interest, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 20 May 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
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At Wednesday's news conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden described the scene investigators encountered.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
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Cuts expected to remain include a sharp reduction in zoning investigators, the elimination of a fee waiver encouraging sidewalk repairs and cuts to the city’s bomb squad.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Applewhaite is among the Democratic operatives publicly criticizing the Biden's public reemergence in recent days — especially Jill Biden's book tour.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
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After negotiations that lasted nearly nine hours, Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire, contingent on a cessation of Hezbollah fire and the removal of Hezbollah operatives from southern Lebanon.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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