as in detectives
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detectives
Noun
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During his confession, Jones said the Nestors hired him to clean around their business — and told detectives what led up to the killings.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025 -
Yan Wang allegedly arrived at the home as police were doing their initial investigation and spoke with detectives, claiming to be a friend and colleague of Howard Wang’s, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Monson eventually turned himself in on the advice of his father after investigators showed up at his sister’s house, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Ed later told investigators that his father had abused both him and his older sibling.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.—
Nick Ferraro,
Boston Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
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Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
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“Private detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detectives. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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