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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After being taken to the precinct to speak with detectives, Stevenson was booked into the Shasta County Jail on a murder charge, where he is being held without bail.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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But less than two weeks later, the detectives called him and said the money was on its way back.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Tesla had been at the impound lot for two days after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, investigators said.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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The vast, sprawling Conjuring franchise, which began back in 2013, has spawned a complex web of sequels, prequels and spin-offs, some of which are loosely based on cases covered by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gumshoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumshoes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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