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
Turns out Cherry has been working for Matt as a private investigator since his retirement and Murdock set him loose on Fisk since the crime boss turned mayoral candidate.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
As such, Hackman's turn as a private investigator befuddled by the disappearance of a former movie star's daughter was, for many years, mostly forgotten despite the actor scoring a BAFTA nomination for the performance.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Prosecutors added that Zhu hired McMahon, who was working as a private investigator, to locate the man.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Laura Lippman’s series of books following private investigator Tess Monaghan may soon hit the small screen: Tomorrow Studios (The Better Sister, One Piece) has acquired the series.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
As such, Hackman's turn as a private investigator befuddled by the disappearance of a former movie star's daughter was, for many years, mostly forgotten despite the actor scoring a BAFTA nomination for the performance.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Prosecutors added that Zhu hired McMahon, who was working as a private investigator, to locate the man.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Laura Lippman’s series of books following private investigator Tess Monaghan may soon hit the small screen: Tomorrow Studios (The Better Sister, One Piece) has acquired the series.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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With the Farris Wheel starting to turn, detectives asked Scott if his father was having an affair.—
Susan Mallie,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
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Prosecutors also said detectives recovered video footage that suggests there may be dozens, if not hundreds, of women who were victimized.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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According to the documents, investigators secured a search warrant for footage from inside the school and saw Morrison encourage other students to mentally and physically abuse a child at the school.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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On April 16, investigators determined her account was accessed from an IP address at a home where 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu lived.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At the end of A Simple Favor, Emily (Lively) goes to prison and Stephanie (Kendrick) moonlights as a private detective, which makes her mommy vlog more interesting and extremely popular.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
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Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Levitt stars in Killer Heat as Nick Bali, a private eye who travels to the Greek island of Crete to investigate the death of shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Richard Madden), who plunged to his death during a free solo rock climb.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
26 Sep. 2024
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The film closes with Stephanie thriving as a successful vlogger and part-time private eye while Emily, ever the con artist, adjusts to life in prison.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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