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

Over the next decade, investigators used cellphone records, surveillance video, financial records and secretly recorded conversations to build the case. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

In the basement, investigators also uncovered a pail filled with bloody cloths, which could have been a key piece of evidence in the case. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Some of the cases have similarities, but investigators do not yet know whether all nine deaths are linked or whether a serial killer could be involved. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

According to an affidavit of probable cause written by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received a cybertip after a cloud storage company noticed one of its users was in possession of child pornography. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing investigator

• private investigator