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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detectives
Authorities said detectives are still working to identify four teenage boys using surveillance video.
—
Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Due to the suspect’s position of trust, detectives believe there may be additional victims, Shih said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Four people were found dead inside, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Police said in a statement Wednesday that detectives had not developed evidence to support the conclusion that there was a political component to the attack.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Vazquez was arrested May 14 after detectives obtained a warrant for her arrest, and she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
In 2017, detectives used DNA samples preserved from Walls' body and the area in which she was found to create an image of a person of interest, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 20 May 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
Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Due to the suspect’s position of trust, detectives believe there may be additional victims, Shih said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Four people were found dead inside, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Police said in a statement Wednesday that detectives had not developed evidence to support the conclusion that there was a political component to the attack.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Vazquez was arrested May 14 after detectives obtained a warrant for her arrest, and she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
In 2017, detectives used DNA samples preserved from Walls' body and the area in which she was found to create an image of a person of interest, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 20 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
-
After returning to the United States, investigators say O’Rourke continued the alleged scam by encouraging friends and family members to organize additional fundraising events on her behalf.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
His family went without answers for five decades — until genealogy advancements allowed investigators to crack the cold case by linking human remains found at a waste transfer station in Pima County to Sipfle's family, per KVOA and KOLD.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
To complete the task, Rachel needs to bring in a pair of expert extractors, Sid (Cavill) and Bronco (Gyllenhaal), and their team of covert operatives because Manny lives on an island guarded by a private army whose members are locked and loaded with high-tech weaponry.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
There should be no place in our politics for incompetent, opportunistic operatives who violate privacy, betray trust, and prioritize vengeance over decency.—
Jared Kofsky,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
