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
An 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl were flown to a Houston-area hospital and are in stable condition, investigators said the day after the shooting.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Federal investigators found that out of more than 8,000 applications, only two were approved — with some residents waiting up to two years just for an interview.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
At the same time, people familiar with the investigation told me that Khan has devoted much of his defense to convincing investigators that Israel and its allies are exploiting the accuser in order to damage him and the court.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
While investigators strongly suspect a bear was responsible, DNA testing is being conducted to confirm the species.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Federal investigators found that out of more than 8,000 applications, only two were approved — with some residents waiting up to two years just for an interview.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
At the same time, people familiar with the investigation told me that Khan has devoted much of his defense to convincing investigators that Israel and its allies are exploiting the accuser in order to damage him and the court.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
While investigators strongly suspect a bear was responsible, DNA testing is being conducted to confirm the species.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
Noun
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In this study, researchers discovered that RNA from yeast can bind with proteins in beer, creating microscopic particles that scatter light.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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During the dives, researchers collected hundreds of deep-sea samples and gathered data on biodiversity, ocean hydrology, sea ice conditions, and water chemistry.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The original Heat starred Pacino as Vincent Hanna, the LAPD detective investigating bank robber Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro).—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
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The next detective retired a few years later while under investigation for discrimination, harrassment and falsifying information during a homicide investigation.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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