1
as in researchers
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 detectives
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 investigators
The sheriff said investigators are not ruling out foul play and noted that the circumstances were serious enough to involve the department’s criminal investigation unit.
—
Bradford Betz , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
The Department of Justice also stopped investigating the agent, Jonathan Ross, and federal authorities blocked state investigators from participating in the probe.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
Fifty-six days later, homicide investigators arrive at Oliver’s apartment to find an unidentified body—brutally murdered and intentionally decomposed.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Evidence collected, in addition to statements by Thomas, led investigators to the conclusion that Buzbee was dead.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 1 Feb. 2026
The investigators and May expressed concern that DeCristo had not addressed her actions.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Parents of students with disabilities have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state over their schools’ failure to educate their children, and most of the time, state investigators have agreed.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Anyone who may know more was asked to contact investigators at Jurupa Valley's Sheriff's Station by calling (951) 955-2600.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Fonseca was interviewed several times during the initial investigation, but nothing at the time led investigators to believe she was involved, Smyth said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 11 Nov. 2025
Bradford Betz , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
The Department of Justice also stopped investigating the agent, Jonathan Ross, and federal authorities blocked state investigators from participating in the probe.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
Fifty-six days later, homicide investigators arrive at Oliver’s apartment to find an unidentified body—brutally murdered and intentionally decomposed.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Evidence collected, in addition to statements by Thomas, led investigators to the conclusion that Buzbee was dead.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 1 Feb. 2026
The investigators and May expressed concern that DeCristo had not addressed her actions.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Parents of students with disabilities have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state over their schools’ failure to educate their children, and most of the time, state investigators have agreed.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Anyone who may know more was asked to contact investigators at Jurupa Valley's Sheriff's Station by calling (951) 955-2600.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Fonseca was interviewed several times during the initial investigation, but nothing at the time led investigators to believe she was involved, Smyth said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigators
Noun
-
The researchers stopped adding new data at specific points and let the model run forward on its own.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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Key among those are ports – more that three dozen of which across Latin America and the Caribbean are linked to Chinese companies, according to researchers at the Center for Strategic International Studies think tank in Washington.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For a while, Mike Sherrill called detectives daily asking for an update.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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Jason Palant said in an email Wednesday that detectives found files on Jhaveri’s cellphone during their initial investigation that met the criteria for child pornography, but Palant did not provide further details.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Investigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigators. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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