private investigator

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

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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 private investigator With Bosch now retired from the LAPD and working as a private investigator, Welliver reflects on his Bosch legacy while ushering in the new season and sharing how the finale will help launch the next show in the franchise canon, the Renée Ballard spinoff. Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025 The whistleblower lawsuit is one of many filed by private investigators or corporations empowered to do so by a law aimed at preventing fraud against the federal government. Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025 Private Eyes West Coast will see private investigators Matt Shade (Priestley) and Angie Everett (Sampson) solving cases in Victoria, British Columbia. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025 As authorities continue searching for her remains, a private investigator is pushing to unseal case records. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
  • Katt's other notable roles included that of teacher Harry Senate on the school drama Boston Public, crooked finance associate Greg Weinstein in Boiler Room, and detective Frank Duggar in Speakeasy.
    Kat Stinson, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Less than a year ago, two Elgin detectives were named to the police department’s new cold case unit.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The sheriff's office has no jurisdiction over the case but sent detectives to the island to assist local investigators.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • An unattended cooking fire killed a toddler in the middle of the night, and the child’s parents now face involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the tragedy, according to investigators in North Carolina.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Its harm is felt when a reporter accosts a convalescing patient in the hospital, when a private detective peers through a neighbor's bedroom window for weeks, and when a photographer snaps an opportunistic photo of a woman's underwear.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article Over the last quarter century, David Suchet became the definitive Hercule Poirot, starring as the fussy but perceptive private detective in 70 screen adaptations of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The film closes with Stephanie thriving as a successful vlogger and part-time private eye while Emily, ever the con artist, adjusts to life in prison.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Continue reading … DARK WATERS – Natalee Holloway private eye's stark warning after another American student goes missing.
    Fox News, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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