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

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

Hicks said detectives are working to determine Williams' motives, and said the suspect's family was cooperating fully with law enforcement. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Her large flat-screen living room television was missing, leading detectives at the time to surmise the killer may have known that footage from the victim’s surveillance cameras could be watched on that TV. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2026

During a search of the home, detectives determined it had been recently remodeled, Facklam said. — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

The Santa Cruz Police Department announced that detectives served search warrants in Santa Cruz and Watsonville as part of the ongoing investigation into the shooting in the 500 block of Errett Circle. — Bay City News, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

This investigation remains active as detectives continue efforts to determine whether the juvenile or others may be connected to additional incidents. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Sheriff's detectives are investigating alongside arson investigators with the Michigan State Police. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Crime scene detectives were seen removing paper bags full of items from the apartment throughout the morning. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026