as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the couple paid a gumshoe to look for their missing son
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gumshoe
Alas, by then the cheese heiress has skipped the country, and one Mickey Finn later our gumshoe comes to consciousness aboard an eastbound ship on the Atlantic.
—
Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Chris Columbus, director of Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films, helms the comedic caper, which follows an amiable gang of gumshoes who spend their golden years investigating cold cases.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Murray Hill wants to bring a little fun and camp to a gumshoe series.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 19 June 2024
But like John Sugar, this humble TV gumshoe ain’t going anywhere.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gumshoe
Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Chris Columbus, director of Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films, helms the comedic caper, which follows an amiable gang of gumshoes who spend their golden years investigating cold cases.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Murray Hill wants to bring a little fun and camp to a gumshoe series.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 19 June 2024
But like John Sugar, this humble TV gumshoe ain’t going anywhere.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gumshoe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumshoe
Noun
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The detective recalled a 2023 killing in North Hollywood that started when a pedestrian carrying grocery bags got into an argument with a motorist whose truck blocked the sidewalk.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call KCPD homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Anyone with further information was encouraged to contact investigator Manny Milian by calling Riverside Sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or the Perris Sheriff's Station at (951) 210-1000.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls teams.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gumshoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumshoe. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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