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
But what got internet sleuths hung up is how Alfonzo reportedly hit shelves months ahead of Thriller.
—
Greg Poole, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Social-media sleuths noted that the Dolphins did not give Tagovailoa an online happy birthday wish on Monday.
—Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet Internet sleuths and royal watchers continued to wonder whether Markle had been denied another tiara from the crown’s massive collection—the prime suspect being the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which Princess Eugenie wore for her own wedding later that year.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, once Capcom revealed the character of Leon was back, that photo went viral after internet sleuths dug it up.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Greg Poole, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Social-media sleuths noted that the Dolphins did not give Tagovailoa an online happy birthday wish on Monday.
—Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet Internet sleuths and royal watchers continued to wonder whether Markle had been denied another tiara from the crown’s massive collection—the prime suspect being the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which Princess Eugenie wore for her own wedding later that year.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, once Capcom revealed the character of Leon was back, that photo went viral after internet sleuths dug it up.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
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Investigators learned on Tuesday that Lickhart had died from her injuries, and homicide detectives took over the case, DiMartino said.—
Nathan Pilling
March 17,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
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As their investigation continues, LBPD detectives asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them at (562) 570-7355.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Anyone with further information was encouraged to contact investigator Manny Milian by calling Riverside Sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or the Perris Sheriff's Station at (951) 210-1000.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls teams.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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