private investigators

noun

plural of private investigator
as in detectives
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

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 investigators The private investigators recovered one truck with help from the Mexican army. — Steve Fisher special Correspondent follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 During the test, two private investigators were hired to conduct surveillance on Hogan. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 In an interview with a neighbor, the private investigators learned that there was a cargo van outside the house at the time. — Jeremy Greenberg, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Priestley and Sampson are reprising their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 The series sees Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson reprise their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 The Dink star’s new series costars Keith David, Langston Kerman, and Mary Shalaby in a comedy about private investigators working in Los Angeles. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026 Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Depending on the circumstances, this may include private investigators, attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, exchanges, regulators or law enforcement agencies. — Jon Stojan june 23, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigators
  1. detectives
  2. investigators
  3. private detectives
Noun
  • 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
Definition of detectives
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
  • Meanwhile, private detectives probed Hadley’s vulnerabilities as a witness.
    — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
  • The trio took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a PaleyFest event commemorating five decades of Charlie's Angels, the groundbreaking ABC series that followed a group of female private detectives.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of private detectives

Browse Nearby Words

private investigator
private investigators
privately
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Cite this Entry

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

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