as in detectives
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 gumshoes
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
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumshoes
Noun
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California detectives alerted Miami Gardens Police, and law enforcement from several agencies began assembling to arrest Clayton.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Fox wasn't interviewed at the time, Smyth said, adding that investigators at first focused on a dispute between Jackson and his landlord.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
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The driver immediately stopped, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gumshoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumshoes. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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