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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Recent Examples of investigator
Jurors were shown images of bungee cords and bands found inside the truck, along with photos of investigators testing the vehicle for biological substances.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
But the case went cold for over a decade, frustrating some victims’ families who felt investigators were not taking the case seriously because of the victims’ line of work.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Anyone with information is asked to email the lead investigator, FHP Corporal Beatrice Derissier at BeatriceDerissier@FLHSMV.gov; Lt. Indiana Miranda at IndianaMiranda@flhsmv.gov; Sergeant Danny Diaz of the Traffic Homicide Unit at DannyDiaz@FLHSMV.gov; or to call 1-800-458-8477.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Medical services directly in a children’s advocacy center strengthen coordination with investigators and offer consistent contact for families, university officials point out.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
But the case went cold for over a decade, frustrating some victims’ families who felt investigators were not taking the case seriously because of the victims’ line of work.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Anyone with information is asked to email the lead investigator, FHP Corporal Beatrice Derissier at BeatriceDerissier@FLHSMV.gov; Lt. Indiana Miranda at IndianaMiranda@flhsmv.gov; Sergeant Danny Diaz of the Traffic Homicide Unit at DannyDiaz@FLHSMV.gov; or to call 1-800-458-8477.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Medical services directly in a children’s advocacy center strengthen coordination with investigators and offer consistent contact for families, university officials point out.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
Noun
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In an opinion piece in The Houston Chronicle, a former researcher of pharmaceutical purification in microgravity, Gregory Asimakis, argued sending humans to the moon is too costly when robots are available.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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In a 2025 study assessing how Belgian politicians viewed generational smoking bans, researchers heard similar arguments.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Sheriff's Department said its Special Victims Bureau detectives are in the very early stages of their investigation.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Harrison Area detectives were investigating the deaths.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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