PRIVATE DETECTIVE Synonyms: 22 Similar Words

private detective

noun

Definition of private detective

as in detective

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of private detective Along the way, Savannah was joined by her father who, in his youth, had been a private detective. — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026 After a lot of private detective work, Jenn managed to locate Nouela Johnston in Seattle and flew in her and her percussionist, Joe Mengis, to play her songs. — James Gunn, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2026 Bernadette Peters will play Coco Van Beck, the aforementioned queen of San Francisco society who enlists private detective Julie (Estrada) and her operative Charles on the case. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 Next month, Minotaur Books will publish the private detective mystery Killer Vibes by Jack Friday–or as readers will recognize him, John Fram. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for private detective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective

Noun

Several hours later, detectives were notified by medical staff that the man died from his injuries.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
The officers replayed bodycam video of their encounter to O'Neill's brother, who told detectives the man in the video was not his brother.

— Logan Smith, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of detective

Noun

Chrinos told investigators that the truck belonged to his boss, who had lent it to him, the affidavit said.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2026
Aguilar also testified that investigators searched federal and state computerized fingerprint databases without finding a match.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of investigator

Noun

In the first, a best-selling mystery author dies, and Benoit Blanc, a charismatic and inquisitive private eye played by Daniel Craig, must investigate.

— New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The story revolves around private eye Raymond Gunn (Rockwell), who is drawn into a case involving murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova, voiced by Johansson.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of private eye

Noun

Set against the glamour and mayhem of Miami Swim Week, Miami PI follows a wayward private investigator whose life has gone off course and a combustible former model caught up in a murder case.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026
Other insiders recently told Star that Swift is reportedly thinking about hiring private investigators to find out who leaked the photos.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of private investigator

Browse Nearby Words

private

private detective

private detectives

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“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of private detective

noun

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