as in detectives
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 investigators
Depending on the circumstances, this may include private investigators, attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, exchanges, regulators or law enforcement agencies.
—
Jon Stojan
june 23,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, fans have turned into part-time wedding planners, part-time private investigators and full-time internet detectives.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Citizens, private investigators, family and media have over the years requested crime and autopsy reports related to the case from Weatherford police — only to be met with persistent denials, according to records obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Though an exhaustive search was conducted, including an intensive investigation by authorities, private investigators and true-crime enthusiasts, Natalee, who was 18 at the time, was never found.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Something stuck with one of the private investigators that were hired to do a surveillance on somebody that a client wanted surveilled.
—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
25 May 2026
Walking the streets asking people about her brother alongside her niece, reporting tips to police tirelessly, creating an online fundraiser and even hiring private investigators to lend a helping hand.
—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
The report wasn’t news to NFL teams, which routinely employ private investigators to dig into draft prospects and compile detailed reports on their backgrounds.
—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Priestley and Supernatural’s Cindy Sampson have reprised their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett in the series, which was originally greenlit by Canada’s Corus Entertainment.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Jon Stojan
june 23,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, fans have turned into part-time wedding planners, part-time private investigators and full-time internet detectives.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Citizens, private investigators, family and media have over the years requested crime and autopsy reports related to the case from Weatherford police — only to be met with persistent denials, according to records obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Though an exhaustive search was conducted, including an intensive investigation by authorities, private investigators and true-crime enthusiasts, Natalee, who was 18 at the time, was never found.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Something stuck with one of the private investigators that were hired to do a surveillance on somebody that a client wanted surveilled.
—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
25 May 2026
Walking the streets asking people about her brother alongside her niece, reporting tips to police tirelessly, creating an online fundraiser and even hiring private investigators to lend a helping hand.
—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
The report wasn’t news to NFL teams, which routinely employ private investigators to dig into draft prospects and compile detailed reports on their backgrounds.
—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Priestley and Supernatural’s Cindy Sampson have reprised their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett in the series, which was originally greenlit by Canada’s Corus Entertainment.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigators
Noun
-
Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and homicide detectives are investigating.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
-
On June 12, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Pollock on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.—
Sofia Saric
June 23,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
In the final seconds before impact, investigators found Wilburn was attempting to avoid the collision but was unable to stop before the red light.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
-
The commissioners plan to develop a five-year plan to phase in state funding, along with enforceable standards like caseload limits and access to defense investigators.—
Anat Rubin,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, private detectives probed Hadley’s vulnerabilities as a witness.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
The trio took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a PaleyFest event commemorating five decades of Charlie's Angels, the groundbreaking ABC series that followed a group of female private detectives.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigators. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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