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
They get snared into helping their private investigator friend Moby (Hung) track down kidnappers intent on capturing a young woman named Sylvia (Lola Forner), who turns out to be the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish count.
—
ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Over the years, private investigator Steve Ridge has pushed for the courts to unseal records relating to the case.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The duke had sued News Group Newspapers (NGN) – publisher of British tabloids The Sun and the now-shuttered News of the World – claiming journalists and private investigators working for the publications had targeted him and his family between 1996 and 2011.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 8 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
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Over the years, private investigator Steve Ridge has pushed for the courts to unseal records relating to the case.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The duke had sued News Group Newspapers (NGN) – publisher of British tabloids The Sun and the now-shuttered News of the World – claiming journalists and private investigators working for the publications had targeted him and his family between 1996 and 2011.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 8 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
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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With the Farris Wheel starting to turn, detectives asked Scott if his father was having an affair.—
Susan Mallie,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
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Prosecutors also said detectives recovered video footage that suggests there may be dozens, if not hundreds, of women who were victimized.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Tesla Center footage allegedly showed McIntire lighting a device, which ignites, and throwing it on a Cybertruck. McIntire then returned to the area of the witness’ home on foot and was seen leaving the area in his vehicle around 11:13 p.m., investigators said.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
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Miami Gardens’ investigators on Friday afternoon were still trying to determine who the shooter was and the circumstances of the altercation, the spokesperson said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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