as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private eye
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) A box-office disappointment, this adaptation of the Walter Mosley novel actually got more attention for then-newcomer Don Cheadle’s scene-stealing turn as a lunatic associate of Washington’s main character, the cool, calculating private eye Easy Rawlins.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2024
Once there, he gets wrapped up in a mystery, befriends a private eye named Perry (Val Kilmer), and reconnects with Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), a childhood crush.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
The indie is set in a near future society ruled by sentient artificial intelligence and has a private eye investigate a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The series mixes the everyday with the inexplicable beautifully, with a standout performance by Cynthia Erivo as an eccentric private eye.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2024
Once there, he gets wrapped up in a mystery, befriends a private eye named Perry (Val Kilmer), and reconnects with Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), a childhood crush.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
The indie is set in a near future society ruled by sentient artificial intelligence and has a private eye investigate a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The series mixes the everyday with the inexplicable beautifully, with a standout performance by Cynthia Erivo as an eccentric private eye.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eye
Noun
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This is a complex incident, and detectives continue to work through all aspects of the investigation.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Hardy plays Walker, a bruised detective fighting his way through the criminal underworld that is threatening to engulf an entire city.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The National Transportation Safety Board said a team of U.S. investigators will participate in the probe.—
Laya Neelakandan,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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In the basement, investigators found Arnold’s blood, according to prosecutors.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Winbush plays a former FBI agent and old friend of Ted's who now works as a private detective, according to Variety.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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In the stylish crime-drama Farrell plays John Sugar, a private detective who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a big-time Hollywood producer’s granddaughter while battling some personal demons of his own.—
Jennifer M. Wood,
WIRED,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That meeting alone is enough for a federal corruption probe, according to Tom Brennan, the family's private investigator for nearly a decade and a former Pennsylvania state trooper.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
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According to court records, Recio agreed to bribe Costanzo, who was the DEA supervisor in Miami, in exchange for his providing the private investigator with confidential information about narcotics investigations.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eye. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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