Synonyms of private detectives

private detectives

noun

plural of private detective

as in detectives

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

• detectives
• investigators
• private investigators
• private eyes
• operatives
• dicks
• sherlocks
• hawkshaws
• sleuths
• sleuthhounds
• gumshoes
• shamuses
• shadows
• tracers
• trackers
• feds
• tails
• plainclothesmen
• Federals
• narcs
• G-men

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of private detectives

Meanwhile, private detectives probed Hadley’s vulnerabilities as a witness. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

The trio took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a PaleyFest event commemorating five decades of Charlie's Angels, the groundbreaking ABC series that followed a group of female private detectives. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026

Jackson was involved with the show — which followed three beautiful private detectives — from the very beginning, helping Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg put together the idea after her time on The Rookies. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Richard Bronswijk, who heads the Dutch police art crime unit, says he's seen private detectives create problems when money is the driver. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026

The untitled half-hour project is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives, which continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

And after testimony in Miami one day, former Police Chief and Carollo foe Art Acevedo, was followed from the courthouse to a restaurant in Coral Gables by a couple of private detectives. — Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

The publisher has argued that evidence from private detectives can't be trusted. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026