detectives

noun

plural of detective
as in investigators
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 detectives From the classic ‘Whodunit’ style to thrilling neonoirs, mystery novels have compelled readers to solve cases alongside detectives like Hercule Poirot. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026 The driver fled in an unknown direction, but detectives identified the vehicle by parts that were left on the road after the crash. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 Two women are charged in the 2007 shooting death of a man during a robbery in Lauderdale Lakes after a tip led detectives to an inmate at a women’s prison in north-central Florida. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Roseville detectives posed as children on messaging apps during the investigation, which resulted in 19 people being arrested on felony charges, police said at the time. — Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Police said due to the nature of the attack, detectives believe there may be additional victims. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Working with the Orange County Crime Lab, detectives reexamined evidence collected during the original investigation. — Esther Lian, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026 Anyone with information is asked to call KCPD homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 Eventually, the detectives find the three men and bring them to trial. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectives
  1. investigators
  2. operatives
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
  • In coordination with agents from the state Department of Labor’s Wage & Workplace Standards Division, investigators determined that the business was operating without a workers’ compensation insurance policy on two separate occasions.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigators
Noun
  • The operatives were also directed to obtain information about the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft and upcoming flights.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 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 operatives

Browse Nearby Words

detective
detectives
detector
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Cite this Entry

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

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