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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detectives
Noun
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Unprovoked broad daylight Seattle stabbing caught on video Francisco Garcia was charged with first-degree assault, a felony that carries up to life in prison as a maximum sentence if convicted, and detectives were still investigating.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025 -
Also on May 6, detectives from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, along with the sheriff office's SWAT team, executed a search warrant at an apartment on the 3900 block of 28th Avenue in Kenosha.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In 2008, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the case in again but investigators made little progress due to the limited physical evidence that remained.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
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In February 2023, investigators confirmed the woman’s identity as Ramos after a family member provided a DNA sample for testing, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
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The suit also alleges that Fox News pressures its guests not to appear on Newsmax and has hired private investigators to target Newsmax executives in an effort to drag down the channel.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Private detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detectives. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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