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
Police urge anyone with information to call KCPD detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
—
Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Using security camera video and witness statements, detectives identified Burnside as the shooting suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Authorities are asking anyone with knowledge of the case to contact Philadelphia homicide detectives.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 10 June 2026
One of the main detectives involved in Nickell's murder investigation was Metropolitan police detective Keith Pedder, who was played by Neil Maskell.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
During a search of Custodio-Aquino's car, detectives found Anthony's blood.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 10 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 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
Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Using security camera video and witness statements, detectives identified Burnside as the shooting suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Authorities are asking anyone with knowledge of the case to contact Philadelphia homicide detectives.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 10 June 2026
One of the main detectives involved in Nickell's murder investigation was Metropolitan police detective Keith Pedder, who was played by Neil Maskell.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
During a search of Custodio-Aquino's car, detectives found Anthony's blood.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 10 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
-
The woman told investigators that Landry was jealous of Stewart.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Federal investigators from the NTSB and FAA are probing the cause as aviation experts highlight longstanding concerns over lax maintenance standards and safety culture in the skydiving industry.—
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
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That same year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain, with Russian operatives as the prime suspects.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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In season three, from creator and writer Taylor Sheridan, hidden networks, foreign operatives and personal betrayals collide.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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