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
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Recent Examples of private detectives
The untitled project, co-written and executive produced by Goor and Del Tredici, is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detectives
Noun
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Chicago Police Department Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Area 2 SVU detectives at 312-747-8274.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Two veteran homicide detectives who once served at the LAPD, including the former detective who oversaw Short's investigation, say that several clues point to Margolis, who died in 1993, being responsible for Short's death and the five murders attributed to the Zodiac Killer.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The investigators and May expressed concern that DeCristo had not addressed her actions.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Parents of students with disabilities have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state over their schools’ failure to educate their children, and most of the time, state investigators have agreed.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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The insider also told THR that in the wake of the July docuseries, the Bradley family has hired private investigators with funds seemingly obtained as a result of the show.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private detectives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detectives. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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