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
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Recent Examples of detectives
Anyone with information regarding the man’s death can contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
During an interview with detectives, Ivers admitted showing his manifesto to library staff.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call Glendale police detectives at 818-548-3127.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
No arrests have been made and detectives are investigating, police said.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Police asked that anyone with information to call detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In this 2024 summer blockbuster, Miami's favorite bantering detectives go on a high-stakes mission to clear their late captain's name after he's wrongfully tied to a drug conspiracy.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
After being taken to the precinct to speak with detectives, Stevenson was booked into the Shasta County Jail on a murder charge, where he is being held without bail.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But less than two weeks later, the detectives called him and said the money was on its way back.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
During an interview with detectives, Ivers admitted showing his manifesto to library staff.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call Glendale police detectives at 818-548-3127.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
No arrests have been made and detectives are investigating, police said.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Police asked that anyone with information to call detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In this 2024 summer blockbuster, Miami's favorite bantering detectives go on a high-stakes mission to clear their late captain's name after he's wrongfully tied to a drug conspiracy.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
After being taken to the precinct to speak with detectives, Stevenson was booked into the Shasta County Jail on a murder charge, where he is being held without bail.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But less than two weeks later, the detectives called him and said the money was on its way back.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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The Tesla had been at the impound lot for two days after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, investigators said.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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The vast, sprawling Conjuring franchise, which began back in 2013, has spawned a complex web of sequels, prequels and spin-offs, some of which are loosely based on cases covered by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to Joe Truzman, a senior analyst with the FDD, the Arrow Unit’s membership is drawn from multiple sources in Gaza, including police officers, operatives belonging to the Ministry of Interior’s security branches, fighters belonging to terrorist factions, and civilian volunteers.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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In 2010, Israeli operatives were successful in killing a senior Hamas operative in the United Arab Emirates.—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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