as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
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Recent Examples of sleuth
Independent journalists, online sleuths and criminal case followers traveled from across the country to track developments on the missing child’s case.
—
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Adapted from Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name, this lighthearted crime caper centers on four amateur sleuths living in a retirement community who look into a suspicious murder.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Pilots’ voices from the last seconds of a fatal cargo plane crash have been re-created by Internet sleuths using software and AI tools.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Fans, again, played sleuth, noting that the musician’s tattoos appeared to be an exact match for Apa’s.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Adapted from Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name, this lighthearted crime caper centers on four amateur sleuths living in a retirement community who look into a suspicious murder.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Pilots’ voices from the last seconds of a fatal cargo plane crash have been re-created by Internet sleuths using software and AI tools.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Fans, again, played sleuth, noting that the musician’s tattoos appeared to be an exact match for Apa’s.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
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Bucks County detectives analyzed the account data and digital footprints, tracking the email and IP address directly to Tiffany's residence and personal devices, the DA's office said.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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The detectives subsequently obtained an arrest warrant Burnside on the homicide charge.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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In the video recorded at the Elliot Key Marina shortly after the collision, Pino can be seen telling the investigator that his attention was split immediately before the accident.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
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The Police Department in Friday’s post said the arrest by its Major Collisions Unit followed an investigation by responding officers, detectives and crime scene investigators that involved a four-hour neighborhood canvass.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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