as in detective
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigator
Heather had a friend who was training to be a private investigator.
—
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing hired a private investigator to follow former competition director Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson, according to recent court declarations in the ongoing federal lawsuit JGR is pursuing against Gabehart and Spire.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 crime novel, Double Whammy, the new ABC procedural stars Scott Speedman as the title character, a photojournalist turned private investigator solving weird and twisty cases in Fort Lauderdale.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 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
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing hired a private investigator to follow former competition director Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson, according to recent court declarations in the ongoing federal lawsuit JGR is pursuing against Gabehart and Spire.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 crime novel, Double Whammy, the new ABC procedural stars Scott Speedman as the title character, a photojournalist turned private investigator solving weird and twisty cases in Fort Lauderdale.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 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
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Investigators learned on Tuesday that Lickhart had died from her injuries, and homicide detectives took over the case, DiMartino said.—
Nathan Pilling
March 17,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
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As their investigation continues, LBPD detectives asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them at (562) 570-7355.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Anyone with further information was encouraged to contact investigator Manny Milian by calling Riverside Sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or the Perris Sheriff's Station at (951) 210-1000.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls teams.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And after testimony in Miami one day, former Police Chief and Carollo foe Art Acevedo, was followed from the courthouse to a restaurant in Coral Gables by a couple of private detectives.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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The untitled half-hour 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.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The untitled half-hour 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.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Princess Lilibet and her brother, Prince Archie, 6, are often kept out of the private eye by their parents, but the siblings have recently been featured in a number of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's photos — and some of their philanthropic work.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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