private investigator

noun

Definition of private investigatornext
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 Former detective and sheriff Mike Toth, now a private investigator after years of experience in law enforcement, tells USA TODAY the Nancy Guthrie case may never be closed. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Garcia said the Directed Response Unit was contacted by a private investigator about Lindsey’s location at the M&M Inn and Suites, at 101 Palette Drive in far south Fort Worth. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 The big twist was always going to make or break Sugar, Apple TV’s contemporary neo-noir starring Colin Farrell as a dapper, tender, classic Hollywood–loving private investigator who happens to be a blue-skinned extraterrestrial in human disguise. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 July 2026 Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
  1. detective
  2. investigator
  3. private detective
  4. private eye
Noun
  • Detectives spoke with another psychic who first reached out to Sophie’s family before detectives followed up with them, police said, adding the psychic had offered services for free.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The watchdog also criticized internal affairs investigators’ reliance on deputies’ logs and detectives’ case files, which were oriented at establishing criminal liability, not examining institutional flaws.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of detective
Noun
  • Among them is Benjamin Radford, a research fellow and investigator with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, a nonprofit organization that evaluates paranormal and fringe-science claims from a scientific viewpoint.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Campus and county police, joined by federal agents and sheriff’s deputies from neighboring counties, maintained a heavy presence as investigators searched for suspects and urged residents to avoid the area.
    — Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigator
Noun
  • Next month, Minotaur Books will publish the private detective mystery Killer Vibes by Jack Friday–or as readers will recognize him, John Fram.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The book introduced readers to Easy Rawlins, a private detective in mid-20th-century Watts who would go on to figure into more than 15 novels (and counting).
    — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026
Definition of private detective
Noun
  • That’s how John Sugar goes from conscientious private eye to would-be assassin.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • There are vivid characters—the rich, distinguished crook Brandon, the platinum-blond secretary Miss Vermilyea; Javonen, ex-military intelligence, and seedy private eye from Kansas, Noble, who might have lurched out of an early Graham Greene story.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of private eye

Browse Nearby Words

private eyes
private investigator
private investigators
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Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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