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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private detective
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, 8 Apr. 2025
So far, Florence has not come forward with any further information other than a 2008 statement sent by his attorney, Neil Rosenberg, to private detective Don Corbett.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
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.com, 18 May 2025
Both Lennox and Sarah Lind, as Alex’s wife, Sam, are serious and convincing, and the musician David Yow, as an oddball private detective following in Alex’s wake, gives the movie some idiosyncratic flair.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private detective
ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
So far, Florence has not come forward with any further information other than a 2008 statement sent by his attorney, Neil Rosenberg, to private detective Don Corbett.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
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.com, 18 May 2025
Both Lennox and Sarah Lind, as Alex’s wife, Sam, are serious and convincing, and the musician David Yow, as an oddball private detective following in Alex’s wake, gives the movie some idiosyncratic flair.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective
Noun
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No arrests had been made as an investigation by Calumet Area detectives was underway.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
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While Murray denied any wrongdoing, he was interviewed by LAPD detectives and his clinic in Texas was searched as part of the ongoing investigation, Murray's lawyer said in a statement.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Fishy past Two decades ago, federal investigators alleged Marky’s was one of those companies caught in black market dealings.—
Kylie Williams,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
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State and city fire investigators say the Saddleridge fire began under one of those towers.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 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
Noun
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Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.—
Dateline NBC,
NBC news,
25 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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