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
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Recent Examples of private investigator
The actor plays a private investigator who is brought in when a toon named Roger Rabbit has been accused of murder.
—
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Metro Nashville Police Department homicide detectives are investigating after a woman's body, covered by a garbage bag, was discovered off the side of the road in South Nashville on July 19.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 July 2025
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Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was violently sucked into an MRI machine by a metal chain around his neck, police in New York said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Noun
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But in Hartig’s formal response posted to the body’s website on Wednesday, July 9, Hartig revealed her own bevy of concerns with judicial investigators and county prosecutors alike.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
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Maya Lau, an investigative journalist and financial investigator, hosts the podcast.—
Anne Easton,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Daniel Craig is back as private detective Benoit Blanc, with Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church all part of the ensemble.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
9 July 2025
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After Beom-jun leaves the hospital against medical advice, Ju-yeon uses the private detective agency to switch out Beom-jun’s pain medication for fentanyl.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
4 Apr. 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 23 Jul. 2025.
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