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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private investigators
Her family in 2018 also engaged in a legal battle with OPD in order to access records that their private investigators could use in a search.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
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
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
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
First Brands implosion ‘not the last’ Industry insiders say the nature of certain private markets transactions means problems are becoming increasingly tricky to spot, despite more intensive levels of due diligence among investors, often involving private investigators.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Many now have cameras, hire private investigators and offer cash rewards to try to catch the thieves.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigators
Noun
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Late on December 22, for example, mere hours after the shooting, detectives visited Barry and James, both of them still in the ER with conditions listed as critical, to record their official statements.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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For five years, detectives looked for Townsend.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
28 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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The publisher has argued that evidence from private detectives can't be trusted.—
Ramy Inocencio,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
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Co-written and executive produced by Goor and Del Tredici, the half-hour is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigators. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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