PRIVATE DETECTIVE Synonyms: 22 Similar Words

private detective

noun

Definition of private detective

as in detective

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private 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 private detective Bernadette Peters will play Coco Van Beck, the aforementioned queen of San Francisco society who enlists private detective Julie (Estrada) and her operative Charles on the case. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 In the book, Liz’s private detective takes photos, which Liz cruelly passes on to Debbie. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 Next month, Minotaur Books will publish the private detective mystery Killer Vibes by Jack Friday–or as readers will recognize him, John Fram. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The book introduced readers to Easy Rawlins, a private detective in mid-20th-century Watts who would go on to figure into more than 15 novels (and counting). — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for private detective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective

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

Noun

In the first, a best-selling mystery author dies, and Benoit Blanc, a charismatic and inquisitive private eye played by Daniel Craig, must investigate.

— New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The story revolves around private eye Raymond Gunn (Rockwell), who is drawn into a case involving murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova, voiced by Johansson.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of private eye

Noun

Then a character actor who plays a private investigator blew us all out of the water on the first take, just completely out-acting us all!

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
But private investigators hired to recover the Cadillac began tracking it.

— Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of private investigator

Browse Nearby Words

private

private detective

private detectives

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

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Synonyms of private detective

noun

Example Sentences

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