sherlock

noun

ˈshər-ˌläk How to pronounce sherlock (audio)
Definition of sherlocknext
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons one of literature's most eccentric sherlocks, Nero Wolfe manages to solve mysteries without so much as leaving the confines of his own home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sherlock
  1. detective
  2. investigator
Noun
  • Later, Manny is arrested by Guthrie, the lead detective on the bank robbery case.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the CMPD Homicide Unit 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a detective.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of detective
Noun
  • Independent investigators, including the late doctor and whistleblower Gao Yaojie, argued the actual number could be much higher.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The investigators had named a deputy head of the presidential office among the suspects in a money-laundering case.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigator
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.

Browse Nearby Words

sheriffs
sherlock
sherlocks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sherlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sherlock. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All