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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 private investigator
The actor plays a private investigator who is brought in when a toon named Roger Rabbit has been accused of murder.
—
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Sheriff Steve Page was also there — and so was a private investigator.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 25 June 2025
In addition, a private investigator who worked on behalf of Goncalves’ parents told them that the DoorDash driver was female, Steve Goncalves, the victim’s father, told the Statesman in a text message Monday.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025
Some men had the means to hire private investigators to find incriminating information on survivors, to deploy media campaigns designed by public-relations firms, and to mobilize their online followers.
—Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
-
The victim’s relatives showed detectives a photo of Ackerman and the victim in the same area the victim’s body had been located, according to an affidavit.—
Caroline Zimmerman
July 7,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, back at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the scientific detective work is about to begin.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
But in Hartig’s formal response posted to the body’s website on Wednesday, July 9, Hartig revealed her own bevy of concerns with judicial investigators and county prosecutors alike.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
-
Maya Lau, an investigative journalist and financial investigator, hosts the podcast.—
Anne Easton,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Taylor Russell is already on board as a suave private detective.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
-
The fifth book in the Pentecost and Parker mystery series finds Lillian Pentecost, an aging private detective with multiple sclerosis, under arrest for the murder of a wealthy financier.—
Liza Tully,
People.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
On one level, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man is a private eye novel.—
Dwyer Murphy
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
-
The idea of a lesbian private eye isn’t even that new either, since Jess Franco had two in a pair of his most enjoyable exploitation movies (Sadisterotika and Kiss Me, Monster, both 1969).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share