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
The Tess Monaghan series follows the investigative pursuits of Tess Monaghan, a former reporter turned private investigator in Baltimore.
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Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
Underneath were blurred images of Brit allegedly pre- and post-plastic surgery, which were acquired by a private investigator.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
During the event, Moore displayed poster boards of Eady, which were blurred by Bravo, and said they were provided to her by a private investigator.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
With Bosch now retired from the LAPD and working as a private investigator, Welliver reflects on his Bosch legacy while ushering in the new season and sharing how the finale will help launch the next show in the franchise canon, the Renée Ballard spinoff.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
Underneath were blurred images of Brit allegedly pre- and post-plastic surgery, which were acquired by a private investigator.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
During the event, Moore displayed poster boards of Eady, which were blurred by Bravo, and said they were provided to her by a private investigator.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
With Bosch now retired from the LAPD and working as a private investigator, Welliver reflects on his Bosch legacy while ushering in the new season and sharing how the finale will help launch the next show in the franchise canon, the Renée Ballard spinoff.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Last fans saw, she was picked up by two New York Police Department officers who escorted her off a bus and told her detectives at the police station had questions for her about Famous' death.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
9 May 2025
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Resurrection, a sci-fi detective movie from Chinese director Bi Gan (Long Day’s Journey Into Night), is a late addition to this year’s competition.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Similarly, in October 2023, Orange County investigators used the technology to identity Michael Ray Schlicht of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose body had been found in 1974 near in unincorporated Laguna Hills, now the city of Aliso Viejo, California.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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When investigators found the listeria on the Fresh & Ready equipment this year, scientists at the FDA used whole genome sequencing analysis, which confirmed that the strain of listeria found at Fresh & Ready Foods matched the strain of listeria causing illnesses in the 2024 outbreak.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Loser of the Week Michael McMahon, a retired NYPD sergeant turned private detective, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his part in harassing and stalking a Chinese expatriate named Xu Jin, who is wanted by his homeland’s government.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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At the end of A Simple Favor, Emily (Lively) goes to prison and Stephanie (Kendrick) moonlights as a private detective, which makes her mommy vlog more interesting and extremely popular.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Levitt stars in Killer Heat as Nick Bali, a private eye who travels to the Greek island of Crete to investigate the death of shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Richard Madden), who plunged to his death during a free solo rock climb.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
26 Sep. 2024
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The film closes with Stephanie thriving as a successful vlogger and part-time private eye while Emily, ever the con artist, adjusts to life in prison.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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