private detective

noun

Definition of private detectivenext
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of private detective Next month, Minotaur Books will publish the private detective mystery Killer Vibes by Jack Friday–or as readers will recognize him, John Fram. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The book introduced readers to Easy Rawlins, a private detective in mid-20th-century Watts who would go on to figure into more than 15 novels (and counting). — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 The stylistic eccentricities have been dialed back, including the use of old Hollywood film clips to reflect the action and possibly the thoughts of its main character, a cinephile from space, who is both practicing and enacting the work of a private detective. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 William Hopper’s Paul Drake assisted as Mason’s go-to private detective with a knack for finding the evidence Mason and his clients needed. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for private detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective
  1. detective
  2. investigator
  3. private eye
  4. private investigator
Noun
  • The scripts were written based on their own reporting, including court documents, investigation transcripts, and interviews with detectives, witnesses, and even Laurie Valdez, an old friend of Wuornos’ who’d never previously spoken with the press.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Sharon Raydor, played by Mary McDonnell, in charge of her team, an endearing, quirky crew of veteran detectives who show up en masse at every crime scene like Mystery Incorporated.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of detective
Noun
  • The first trial of Payton and Dandrae Martin lasted weeks and included extensive testimony from police investigators, gang experts and the defendants themselves.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • By that time, investigators had run down anonymous tips, interviewed witnesses and contacted attorneys hired by the accused, the documents show.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigator
Noun
  • That’s how John Sugar goes from conscientious private eye to would-be assassin.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • There are vivid characters—the rich, distinguished crook Brandon, the platinum-blond secretary Miss Vermilyea; Javonen, ex-military intelligence, and seedy private eye from Kansas, Noble, who might have lurched out of an early Graham Greene story.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of private eye
Noun
  • His mother, Wendy O’Connor, filed a missing persons report, and Love hired a private investigator to locate the musician.
    — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The trailer, released Friday morning, kicks off with Backo’s Carson, a local detective, and Reid’s Rapp, a private investigator, looking into the disappearance of Henry Park (Williams).
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of private investigator

Browse Nearby Words

private
private detective
private detectives
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Cite this Entry

“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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