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
While local police and a private investigator work to discover what happened to Michele, the Romanos were stunned to see that same image from the flyers posted to Facebook groups dedicated to catching a serial killer a few weeks following the discovery of her remains.
—
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Reports of the city hiring a private investigator to look into Wu’s performance were first circulated by local residents in April, although the city declined to confirm nor comment about the matter when asked by this news organization.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
Before becoming a writer, Loyd had worked in law enforcement and as a private investigator, experiences that appear to inform the realistic feel of his mystery writing.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Jimenez established a GoFundMe to raise funds so that the family can hire a private investigator to look into the case.
—David Chiu, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Reports of the city hiring a private investigator to look into Wu’s performance were first circulated by local residents in April, although the city declined to confirm nor comment about the matter when asked by this news organization.
—Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
Before becoming a writer, Loyd had worked in law enforcement and as a private investigator, experiences that appear to inform the realistic feel of his mystery writing.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Jimenez established a GoFundMe to raise funds so that the family can hire a private investigator to look into the case.
—David Chiu, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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The victim’s relatives showed detectives a photo of Ackerman and the victim in the same area the victim’s body had been located, according to an affidavit.—
Caroline Zimmerman
July 7,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
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Meanwhile, back at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the scientific detective work is about to begin.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Fishy past Two decades ago, federal investigators alleged Marky’s was one of those companies caught in black market dealings.—
Kylie Williams,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
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The couple and their dog Gilbert were shot in their home during the early morning hours of June 14, by a gunman who investigators say was targeting Democratic lawmakers.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Taylor Russell is already on board as a suave private detective.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
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The fifth book in the Pentecost and Parker mystery series finds Lillian Pentecost, an aging private detective with multiple sclerosis, under arrest for the murder of a wealthy financier.—
Liza Tully,
People.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
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On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.—
Dwyer Murphy
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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The idea of a lesbian private eye isn’t even that new either, since Jess Franco had two in a pair of his most enjoyable exploitation movies (Sadisterotika and Kiss Me, Monster, both 1969).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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