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

Harrison Area detectives were investigating the shooting Sunday morning. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Giordano said Vasquez and Felix were arrested on Saturday after being interviewed for the first time by detectives about the incident. — Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Detectives spoke with another psychic who first reached out to Sophie’s family before detectives followed up with them, police said, adding the psychic had offered services for free. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit were on scene as well as accident reconstructionist from the Groton and Ledyard police departments as well as detectives from the Groton Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Late Friday, a police spokesman said Calumet Area (Area 5) detectives are conducting a criminal investigation. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Cynthia also thanked the KCSO detectives for finally solving the case. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026