as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private eye
He’s backed up by a superb supporting cast as well, including the honey-voiced Keith David as private eye Marty, the Buffy reboot’s new slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Lee’s daughter Francis and the always-great Kyle MacLachlan as slick gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg.
—
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2025
Some, like Lee, aren’t fit to live anywhere else; others, like closeted introvert Dale or Marty (the great Keith David), a Black private eye in the Washbergs’ employ, are just working with the hand they’ve been dealt.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Short version: In this movie co-written and directed by Ethan Coen, Margaret Qualley plays a swaggering, small-town private eye whose investigations into a series of strange deaths lead her to a mysterious church run by a charismatic (and corrupt) preacher played by Chris Evans.
—Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2025
Some, like Lee, aren’t fit to live anywhere else; others, like closeted introvert Dale or Marty (the great Keith David), a Black private eye in the Washbergs’ employ, are just working with the hand they’ve been dealt.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Short version: In this movie co-written and directed by Ethan Coen, Margaret Qualley plays a swaggering, small-town private eye whose investigations into a series of strange deaths lead her to a mysterious church run by a charismatic (and corrupt) preacher played by Chris Evans.
—Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eye
Noun
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The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, newlyweds Ivy and Potts adjust to married life, a new detective settles in at Scotland Yard, and Nash causes chaos, even from across the globe.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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But after further investigation, Smith said that detectives determined the pedestrian was hit by only one vehicle, and that driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Joining Phillips as the Victorian era private detective are Sam Buchanan as Detective George Willows, who joins Scotland Yard after rising through the police ranks; and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Isabel Summers, an ambitious young woman who joins the Clerical Office.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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And while the chemistry in the show — which followed a former model (Shepherd) and a detective (Bruce) who manage a private detective agency — was undeniable, a feud was seemingly brewing behind the scenes.—
Abby Stern,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the premiere of Down Cemetery Road, a desperate woman walks into a private investigator’s office.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thompson plays Zoë Boehm, a private investigator every bit as spiky as her pixie cut.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eye. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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