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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleuth
The Thursday Murder Club is about amateur sleuths.
—
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell famously manufactured a phony real-life romance — all while Sweeney was still engaged — that got internet sleuths buzzing and bolstered audience interest to see what chemistry might be on screen.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2025
Social media sleuths have gathered clues that allegedly tie D4vd, legal name David Anthony Burke, to the victim.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But when internet sleuths teased out that Fulmer was having an affair with a Try Guys employee, the drama exploded from a private matter into a public spectacle, ending with Fulmer leaving the group after a public apology.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell famously manufactured a phony real-life romance — all while Sweeney was still engaged — that got internet sleuths buzzing and bolstered audience interest to see what chemistry might be on screen.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2025
Social media sleuths have gathered clues that allegedly tie D4vd, legal name David Anthony Burke, to the victim.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But when internet sleuths teased out that Fulmer was having an affair with a Try Guys employee, the drama exploded from a private matter into a public spectacle, ending with Fulmer leaving the group after a public apology.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
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Wilson County Sheriff’s Office detectives also found seven shell casings.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
14 Oct. 2025
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And while the chemistry in the show — which followed a former model (Shepherd) and a detective (Bruce) who manage a private detective agency — was undeniable, a feud was seemingly brewing behind the scenes.—
Abby Stern,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Anyone with information about the crash who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact the Colorado State Patrol dispatch at 970-249-4392 and reference case VC250372.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
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Monday’s sentencing marks the end of a years-long legal battle between Laffitte and his victims, after Laffitte was reportedly the first to face federal charges as investigators looked to take down the Murdaugh empire.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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