1
as in policemen
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 detectives
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamuses
Noun
-
Plan for new Palestinian police Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says his country is training some 5,000 new Palestinian policemen for Gaza.—
NPR,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025 -
Through the streets of World War I Paris, the bohemian artist attempts to outmaneuver bombs, policemen, girlfriends, and critics in an increasingly desperate search of a home for his art.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
California detectives alerted Miami Gardens Police, and law enforcement from several agencies began assembling to arrest Clayton.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Mayor Eric Adams, who endorsed Cuomo, recently announced funding to hire 5,000 new NYPD officers.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The scouting trips were particularly suspicious to investigators because none of the suspects are over 21 years old, ruling out legitimate visits to bars or clubs.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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The department is asking witnesses to come forward, and also asks that people who have video of the incident submit it to investigators, both from the incident and from exterior cameras in the area.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The city was going bankrupt, the cops were on strike, and a fire had wiped out telephone service in my part of the East Side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Carver and his producing partner Udovich have spent a lot of time in Joliet, located 40 miles southwest of Chicago, with the local cops.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The law required sheriffs and constables to execute those orders — and enslavers paid them for their efforts.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The range of salaries will be $143,400 for constables and $295,564 for District Attorney Phil Sorrells, a North Richland Hills Republican.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
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The insider also told THR that in the wake of the July docuseries, the Bradley family has hired private investigators with funds seemingly obtained as a result of the show.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Protests surround store opening As customers first entered the new Shein store on Wednesday, riot police officers stood watch.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Afterward, an ambulance carrying Jaramillo’s body in a motorcade left the hospital as dozens of police officers saluted.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shamuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shamuses. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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