Synonyms of private investigators

private investigators

noun

plural of private investigator

as in detectives

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detectives
• investigators
• private detectives
• private eyes
• operatives
• sleuths
• sleuthhounds
• dicks
• sherlocks
• hawkshaws
• shamuses
• gumshoes
• shadows
• tracers
• trackers
• feds
• plainclothesmen
• tails
• Federals
• narcs
• G-men

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of private investigators

Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Depending on the circumstances, this may include private investigators, attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, exchanges, regulators or law enforcement agencies. — Jon Stojan june 23, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, fans have turned into part-time wedding planners, part-time private investigators and full-time internet detectives. — Bryan West, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Citizens, private investigators, family and media have over the years requested crime and autopsy reports related to the case from Weatherford police — only to be met with persistent denials, according to records obtained by the Star-Telegram. — Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026

Something stuck with one of the private investigators that were hired to do a surveillance on somebody that a client wanted surveilled. — Rafael Perez, Daily News, 25 May 2026

Walking the streets asking people about her brother alongside her niece, reporting tips to police tirelessly, creating an online fundraiser and even hiring private investigators to lend a helping hand. — Frankie McLister, CBS News, 17 May 2026

The report wasn’t news to NFL teams, which routinely employ private investigators to dig into draft prospects and compile detailed reports on their backgrounds. — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Priestley and Supernatural’s Cindy Sampson have reprised their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett in the series, which was originally greenlit by Canada’s Corus Entertainment. — Peter White, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026