Thesaurus results for GUMSHOE

gumshoe

noun

ˈgəm-ˌshü

Definition of gumshoe

as in detective

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons the couple paid a gumshoe to look for their missing son

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 gumshoe Cage plays Ben Reilly, a gumshoe struggling to remain afloat in New York City in the Great Depression. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Referring to himself with words like spy, detective, gumshoe, Wilbur pulls all kinds of sleuth-like maneuvers to find out ingredients and amounts used in the recipes. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026 When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge. — Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 The show will star Nicolas Cage as a gumshoe version of Spider-Man in an alternate 1930s New York City. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gumshoe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumshoe

Noun

Sheriff’s officials said Mullennix pointed a gun at a detective and threatened to shoot him before barricading herself inside the home.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Investigators said Mullennix ran inside when a detective tried to contact her, then allegedly pointed a gun from a window and threatened to shoot him.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of detective

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

Browse Nearby Words

gums

gumshoe

gumshoes

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“Gumshoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumshoe. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gumshoe

noun

Example Sentences

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