1
as in policeman
a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level
a hard-bitten L.A. shamus who, when he's not battling crooks, is locking horns with his superiors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
he's a shamus who mostly finds evidence to use in divorce cases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shamus
When the franchise was rejuvenated in 2000 with Samuel L. Jackson starring as the nephew of the famed shamus, Roundtree appeared as his uncle.
—
Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard was one in a long line of LA shamuses tripped up by wealth and beauty, from Marlowe and Gittes to Rawlins and Bosch.
—Wired, 1 Nov. 2019
With Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright back at the creative helm (and The Hollywood Reporter columnist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the writing staff), the season picks up with Veronica (Bell) still working as a shamus in her SoCal hometown of Neptune.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2019
Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard was one in a long line of LA shamuses tripped up by wealth and beauty, from Marlowe and Gittes to Rawlins and Bosch.
—Wired, 1 Nov. 2019
With Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright back at the creative helm (and The Hollywood Reporter columnist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the writing staff), the season picks up with Veronica (Bell) still working as a shamus in her SoCal hometown of Neptune.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamus
Noun
-
The National Police Office will fully take care of the benefits and welfare of the families of the 5 brave policemen.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
To date, only eight policemen had been convicted for five drug war deaths, according to court documents.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
With the Farris Wheel starting to turn, detectives asked Scott if his father was having an affair.—
Susan Mallie,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
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
-
Despite 'Blue Bloods' actors having chemistry on-screen, several have been married for years Comments Blue Bloods may be known as one of the longest-running police procedurals in television history, but at the heart of the former CBS cop drama was family.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
Read's team says a dog that belonged to another Boston cop attacked O'Keefe.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
By early July 1846, 10 companies of cavalry had arrived in Washington in Hempstead County, where the unit was organized and officers elected.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
-
Gert started to giggle again, and the officer shined his flashlight into both of their faces, back and forth.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Law enforcement agencies would have to create department files on any employee holding a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license, which includes police, sheriff’s deputies, constables, corrections officers and others.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The Center Township constable's office has made headlines in recent years because of scandals surrounding former constable Denise Hatch.—
Noe Padilla,
The Indianapolis Star,
15 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Shamus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shamus. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share