Definition of sleuthnext
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

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 sleuth Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song. Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 22 June 2026 Already, internet sleuths are uncovering the exact items worn by the characters, and there’s a fan base quickly building for the beauty looks as well. Elle Turner, Glamour, 18 June 2026 Our leads will be abandoning the mean streets of New York City for merry old London. Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 The Pentagon in May made public large swaths of UFO files with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations. Krysta Fauria, Fortune, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
  • The 58-year-old was arrested after talking with a family violence detective, according to police.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • Fortunately, a veteran detective pursued the investigation and made an arrest.
    Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • Crump said those friends now have lawyers and that his investigators haven't attempted to speak with them yet.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Colt, then 14, brought an assault-style rifle to school, hidden in his backpack, and made several concerning comments to teachers and parents that morning, according to investigators who testified at his father’s murder trial earlier this year.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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