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
Traffic investigators are working to determine the circumstances that led to the crash, police said.
—
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sunday that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in custody, was not cooperating with investigators.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The note had been destroyed, the director said, but investigators had managed to obtain its contents.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sunday that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in custody, was not cooperating with investigators.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The note had been destroyed, the director said, but investigators had managed to obtain its contents.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
Noun
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Getty Images Move over, model UN – researchers at George Washington University have made history by successfully building an AI model of a Federal Reserve bank committee meeting.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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One of those unique risk factors is thought to be the hormone fluctuations of menopause, leading researchers to study whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can level the hormonal playing field, might help.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Scott, McDonald and Neary were arrested, but Rackauckas and a Fullerton police detective persuaded Neary to testify against the other two men, according to the motion.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
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Reigle and her team tested about a dozen formulations and viscosities, playing detective to figure out where a whole host of issues was coming from.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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