as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the firm hired a hawkshaw to find out who was fencing stock from their warehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hawkshaws
Noun
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Summit County Sheriff's Office SCSO says detectives discovered electronic messages sent by Zabik detailing plans and a timeline to carry out a mass shooting in the county.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026 -
Additionally, detectives believe McCray and Asendorf knew each other prior to the alleged murder, according to WSVN.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The investigators and May expressed concern that DeCristo had not addressed her actions.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Parents of students with disabilities have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state over their schools’ failure to educate their children, and most of the time, state investigators have agreed.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hawkshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hawkshaws. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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