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
Jane Levy is the latest addition to the cast of Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici’s NBC comedy pilot about private investigators.
—
Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Spade and partner Miles Archer are private investigators who accept a case from a woman hoping to find her sister, who ran off with a mysterious man.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Her family in 2018 also engaged in a legal battle with OPD in order to access records that their private investigators could use in a search.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Following her instincts, Sarah seeks out private investigators Zoë Boehm (Thompson) and her husband, Joe Silverman (Adam Godley).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Spade and partner Miles Archer are private investigators who accept a case from a woman hoping to find her sister, who ran off with a mysterious man.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Her family in 2018 also engaged in a legal battle with OPD in order to access records that their private investigators could use in a search.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Following her instincts, Sarah seeks out private investigators Zoë Boehm (Thompson) and her husband, Joe Silverman (Adam Godley).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigators
Noun
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Homicide detectives are investigating the incident as a drive-by shooting, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Wentworth Area detectives were investigating.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Payments will be based on severity and duration of the abuse, the level of cooperation with investigators and other factors, records show.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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Quinn says investigators questioned his story.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Richard Bronswijk, who heads the Dutch police art crime unit, says he's seen private detectives create problems when money is the driver.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
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The untitled half-hour project is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives, which continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigators. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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