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
Stacey Wondra told the detectives that after placing Michael in the duffel bag, the group drove him to a house in Kuna and put him in a spare room, the affidavit said.
—
Alex Brizee
march 3, Idaho Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit further alleges detectives withheld hundreds of pages of investigative reports, witness statements and materials from a parallel investigation into Dvorsky’s death that could have allowed Puckett’s attorneys to argue someone else committed the crime.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
So do the detectives on the pair’s trail (Peter Sarsgaard, Penélope Cruz), whose dynamic is another, more real-world commentary on gender roles.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Our detectives are investigating this matter.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
This series is the gripping tale of Paul’s real-time investigation into four murders related to Joe Naso, pitting one of America’s best detectives against one of its most prolific and deranged serial killers.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Mar. 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
Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a 1-year-old girl who was found unresponsive in a licensed daycare center in Rancho San Diego on Tuesday.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
Upon identifying the user, the detectives initiated a full investigation and uncovered multiple listings from the same seller.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Alex Brizee
march 3, Idaho Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit further alleges detectives withheld hundreds of pages of investigative reports, witness statements and materials from a parallel investigation into Dvorsky’s death that could have allowed Puckett’s attorneys to argue someone else committed the crime.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
So do the detectives on the pair’s trail (Peter Sarsgaard, Penélope Cruz), whose dynamic is another, more real-world commentary on gender roles.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Our detectives are investigating this matter.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
This series is the gripping tale of Paul’s real-time investigation into four murders related to Joe Naso, pitting one of America’s best detectives against one of its most prolific and deranged serial killers.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Mar. 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
Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a 1-year-old girl who was found unresponsive in a licensed daycare center in Rancho San Diego on Tuesday.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
Upon identifying the user, the detectives initiated a full investigation and uncovered multiple listings from the same seller.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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At this stage, investigators have not determined whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure, operational error, or hostile action.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
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There are still investigators working leads that they’re not finished with.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the last year, Mexican troops have been deployed across the country to quell narco-violence, arresting legions of cartel operatives, seizing tons of illicit drugs and busting hundreds of clandestine laboratories.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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The attacks included suicide missions — a method that Hamas operatives had learned from Hezbollah trainers in Lebanon.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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