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
Within two years, Torres’ political career was crashing down amid a scandal that surfaced publicly in October 2024 when he was detained and questioned by San Jose detectives.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Legal experts say these coercive techniques were common among detectives in the 1980s and 1990s, but often produced false confessions.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
As the pair confer with forensics and begin piecing things together, the detectives learn that the unit was once home to Oliver and his live-in girlfriend, Ciara.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
On a Sunday morning, detectives say Nathan Gingles showed up at Mary's Tamarac home, shot her father on the patio.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Officers and detectives also canvassed the area for evidence and witnesses.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The detectives and police public relations people have to spend so much time to correct it.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The office said several hundred detectives and agents are on the case.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Following normal fatal fire protocol, Dallas police homicide detectives were notified.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Legal experts say these coercive techniques were common among detectives in the 1980s and 1990s, but often produced false confessions.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
As the pair confer with forensics and begin piecing things together, the detectives learn that the unit was once home to Oliver and his live-in girlfriend, Ciara.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
On a Sunday morning, detectives say Nathan Gingles showed up at Mary's Tamarac home, shot her father on the patio.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Officers and detectives also canvassed the area for evidence and witnesses.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The detectives and police public relations people have to spend so much time to correct it.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The office said several hundred detectives and agents are on the case.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Following normal fatal fire protocol, Dallas police homicide detectives were notified.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
Noun
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Meanwhile, investigators hope DNA from a glove recovered about two miles from Nancy’s residence will lead them closer to a suspect.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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The warrant was based on a lead that investigators received, the department said, but no arrests were made.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In between, Court follows the threats aimed at security experts and intelligence operatives across the globe.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
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His espionage thriller Lioness, which stars Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña as CIA operatives, is in production on its third season.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectives. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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