PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Synonyms: 22 Similar Words

private investigator

noun

as in detective

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator

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 investigator But private investigators hired to recover the Cadillac began tracking it. — Steve Fisher special Correspondent follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 However, when Pi-o’s private investigator gives Jeong-yo a recording of their conversation with one of Jeong-yo’s abductors, the truth wins out. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 His mother, Wendy O’Connor, filed a missing persons report, and Love hired a private investigator to locate the musician. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 During the test, two private investigators were hired to conduct surveillance on Hogan. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for private investigator

Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator

Noun

While searching the area, two other detectives spotted the Chevy parked at Southwest 64th Court and 88th Street.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Larry Baimbridge spent thirty-one years with the Houston Police Department, including stints as a homicide detective and as commander of the SWAT team.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of detective

Noun

The decades-long search for answers in Amy’s case inspired the couple to help establish the nonprofit, which helps to fund unsolved homicide investigations, train investigators and support victims’ families.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The footage showed the vehicles entering and exiting the site and allowed investigators to capture their vehicle identification numbers, which were forwarded to CBP, according to Earley.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigator

Noun

In the mid-1990s, Bob Bartel, a Chicago native and sometime private detective and full-time Beatles nut, heard Louise speak at a fan convention about George’s vacation in Benton.

— Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
His plan was to hire a private detective and get to the bottom of this treachery.

— Deborah Day, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of private detective

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

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private eyes

private investigator

private investigators

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“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of private investigator

noun

Example Sentences

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