as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
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Examples of private investigator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Set in 1979, the series gives listeners a behind-the-curtain look into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, told through the lenses of private investigator William Dear (Hamm), a swashbuckling style tough guy and creator of the game Gary Gygax (Wil Wheaton).
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 July 2024
Doris Maricela Aguilar went missing on July 1 Phoenix police had been searching for Aguilar since July 1, according to a missing persons posters posted by private investigator Steve Fischer and Missing People In America.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
During part three of the Tell-All last week, the private investigator Angela hired to look into Michael's past joined the cast to share his findings – which were nothing suspicious.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
With author Jon Krakauer and private investigator Sam Brower as guides, Berg weaves a tragic tale of great evil posing as remarkable salvation.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 July 2024
Doris Maricela Aguilar went missing on July 1 Phoenix police had been searching for Aguilar since July 1, according to a missing persons posters posted by private investigator Steve Fischer and Missing People In America.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
During part three of the Tell-All last week, the private investigator Angela hired to look into Michael's past joined the cast to share his findings – which were nothing suspicious.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
With author Jon Krakauer and private investigator Sam Brower as guides, Berg weaves a tragic tale of great evil posing as remarkable salvation.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'private investigator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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