Synonyms of investigator

investigator

noun

in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• researcher
• experimenter
• observer
• examiner
• monitor
• inspector
• fact finder
• empiricist
• empiric
• field-worker

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detective
• operative
• sleuth
• private investigator
• dick
• gumshoe
• private detective
• private eye
• sleuthhound
• shamus
• sherlock
• tracker
• tracer
• hawkshaw
• Federal
• tail
• plainclothesman
• narc
• fed
• shadow
• G-man

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of investigator

More than 1,644 people who contracted the illness reported eating at Taco Bell in those five states, the CDC said, adding investigators had linked the lettuce to a single supplier in Mexico. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

On Thursday, the Washington Post reported investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by the company to Taco Bell restaurants as a possible source of contamination. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Before resuming a tactic that has produced multiple fatal encounters, investigators and the public deserve full clarity as to what happened. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

The case remained unsolved until evidence was reexamined in 2010, when investigators identified an unknown male’s DNA profile, but no match was found on the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), according to the affidavit. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Phrases Containing investigator

• private investigator