detective

noun

Definition of detectivenext
as in investigator
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective

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 detective Hollatz recalled running over to another detective to share the news. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 The Trying star is leading The Death of Sherlock Holmes, which fills the gap between the detective’s apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls in 1891 and his reappearance in The Adventure of the Empty House three years later. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 The grand jury heard testimony only from the lead detective and Busfield, despite jurors asking three separate times to hear from more witnesses. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 Busfield and an Albuquerque police detective were the only two witnesses to appear before the grand jury. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detective
  1. investigator
  2. operative
Noun
  • In a statement posted to Facebook, the Wichita Police Department asked anyone with video of the incident to upload it so investigators could take a look.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Roseville-Rocklin regional SWAT team assisted investigators in serving the warrant Friday morning.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigator
Noun
  • His vice president at the nonprofit, a longtime Republican operative, had suggested it, Wilson later testified.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Kenney said the movement also became more professional, building organizations, raising money and drawing in political operatives with campaign and fundraising experience.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of operative

Phrases Containing detective

Browse Nearby Words

detections
detective
detectives
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Cite this Entry

“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detective

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detective

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