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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
While local police and a private investigator work to discover what happened to Michele, the Romanos were stunned to see that same image from the flyers posted to Facebook groups dedicated to catching a serial killer a few weeks following the discovery of her remains.
—
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Reports of the city hiring a private investigator to look into Wu’s performance were first circulated by local residents in April, although the city declined to confirm nor comment about the matter when asked by this news organization.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
Before becoming a writer, Loyd had worked in law enforcement and as a private investigator, experiences that appear to inform the realistic feel of his mystery writing.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Jimenez established a GoFundMe to raise funds so that the family can hire a private investigator to look into the case.
—David Chiu, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Reports of the city hiring a private investigator to look into Wu’s performance were first circulated by local residents in April, although the city declined to confirm nor comment about the matter when asked by this news organization.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
Before becoming a writer, Loyd had worked in law enforcement and as a private investigator, experiences that appear to inform the realistic feel of his mystery writing.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Jimenez established a GoFundMe to raise funds so that the family can hire a private investigator to look into the case.
—David Chiu, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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No arrests had been made as an investigation by Calumet Area detectives was underway.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
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While Murray denied any wrongdoing, he was interviewed by LAPD detectives and his clinic in Texas was searched as part of the ongoing investigation, Murray's lawyer said in a statement.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Fishy past Two decades ago, federal investigators alleged Marky’s was one of those companies caught in black market dealings.—
Kylie Williams,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
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State and city fire investigators say the Saddleridge fire began under one of those towers.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Noun
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The Italian Ferretti Group was the setting for a spy-vs-spy scenario that reportedly included private detectives shadowing an executive of the Italian builder’s primary Chinese investor and recording devices hidden in several offices, according to Bloomberg.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
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As a new teaser trailer from Netflix reveals, the private detective is facing his most dangerous case yet.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.—
Dwyer Murphy
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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The idea of a lesbian private eye isn’t even that new either, since Jess Franco had two in a pair of his most enjoyable exploitation movies (Sadisterotika and Kiss Me, Monster, both 1969).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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