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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detectives
During his confession, Jones said the Nestors hired him to clean around their business — and told detectives what led up to the killings.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Yan Wang allegedly arrived at the home as police were doing their initial investigation and spoke with detectives, claiming to be a friend and colleague of Howard Wang’s, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The search for a suspect While Heskett underwent surgery to safely remove the knife from his abdomen, detectives started sifting through the evidence and law enforcement personnel from half a dozen agencies banded together for an all-out search of the area.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
As of Monday, detectives didn’t have any new developments to share, Williams said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
Unprovoked broad daylight Seattle stabbing caught on video Francisco Garcia was charged with first-degree assault, a felony that carries up to life in prison as a maximum sentence if convicted, and detectives were still investigating.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Also on May 6, detectives from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, along with the sheriff office's SWAT team, executed a search warrant at an apartment on the 3900 block of 28th Avenue in Kenosha.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The next day, Wenatchee police detectives recontacted state patrol with additional information and the EMPA was issued, police said.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Yan Wang allegedly arrived at the home as police were doing their initial investigation and spoke with detectives, claiming to be a friend and colleague of Howard Wang’s, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The search for a suspect While Heskett underwent surgery to safely remove the knife from his abdomen, detectives started sifting through the evidence and law enforcement personnel from half a dozen agencies banded together for an all-out search of the area.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
As of Monday, detectives didn’t have any new developments to share, Williams said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
Unprovoked broad daylight Seattle stabbing caught on video Francisco Garcia was charged with first-degree assault, a felony that carries up to life in prison as a maximum sentence if convicted, and detectives were still investigating.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Also on May 6, detectives from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, along with the sheriff office's SWAT team, executed a search warrant at an apartment on the 3900 block of 28th Avenue in Kenosha.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The next day, Wenatchee police detectives recontacted state patrol with additional information and the EMPA was issued, police said.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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In mid-2020, investigators had a major breakthrough.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Since Speight was located, his parents have refused to cooperate with investigators, Woods said.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Privately, political operatives from both sides concede that government shutdowns are bad for both parties.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Once the candidate is defined with a platform backfilled with extensive details, then allow the political operatives to take that platform out into social media with an out-of-the-box approach like some of the earlier suggestions.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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