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
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Recent Examples of private investigator
Some advisers to the president-elect have suggested taking the job of conducting background checks for high-level nominees away from the FBI and give it to private investigators, but other Republicans are balking at that proposal.
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Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024
In this dark dive into the world of superheroes, Krysten Ritter plays a private investigator who gave up her days as a superhero after a major catastrophe.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024
His son filed a missing person report in Wichita Falls and the family hired a private investigator to try to locate him.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Murphey even hired a private investigator once Svetlana's address turned out to be fake.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024
In this dark dive into the world of superheroes, Krysten Ritter plays a private investigator who gave up her days as a superhero after a major catastrophe.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024
His son filed a missing person report in Wichita Falls and the family hired a private investigator to try to locate him.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Murphey even hired a private investigator once Svetlana's address turned out to be fake.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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Homicide detectives are investigating deaths at several locations, said Nicole Nishida, communications director for the Sheriff’s Department.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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As previously mentioned, detectives are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases as part of this broader investigation.Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are able to detain him.Ryan Hogg, Fortune Asia, 10 Jan. 2025
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The 30 Rock star filed a civil lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators from his previous criminal manslaughter trial in Santa Fe on Thursday.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-87, the CBS primetime soap about a wealthy California wine family.Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2024
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Created by Michael Schur, the series follows Charles, a widower and retiree, who is hired by a private detective named Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) and goes undercover at a local San Francisco nursing home to solve a theft.Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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When a judge tentatively allowed the music to bang on this fall, sonic private eyes and city officials patrolled the neighborhood with microphones and decibel meters, gathering ammunition for the battle.Katie Thornton, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
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In Hot Spot, set in a near future society ruled by sentient A.I., a private eye investigates a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord.Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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