1
as in researcher
one who observes or studies by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated
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2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of investigator
To explore this premise, the investigators asked participants about their primary caregivers, including a motherlike caregiver and a fatherlike one when applicable.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 510-238-3426.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
During initial questioning, police say the suspect told investigators the turtles had been sent by an associate from waters near Madura, an island in East Java province.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
The sheriff's office said investigators believe the toddler was left inside the vehicle for 16 minutes.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 510-238-3426.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
During initial questioning, police say the suspect told investigators the turtles had been sent by an associate from waters near Madura, an island in East Java province.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
The sheriff's office said investigators believe the toddler was left inside the vehicle for 16 minutes.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
Noun
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Other researchers see a similar pattern.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Christiana Corporon Christiana Corporon is an NBC News researcher.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Authorities asked anyone with information about Moore's whereabouts to contact detectives at 803-358-7271 or Midlands Crimestoppers.—
Stephen Sorace , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Inbred eccentrics and bumbling detectives have populated the seaside villages of Bruno Dumont’s absurdist comedies.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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