Thesaurus results for SLEUTH

sleuth

noun

ˈslüth

Definition of sleuth

as in detective

a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts

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 sleuth Online sleuths and true-crime commentators following the broadcast trial had peddled conspiracy theories that Patrick Clancy actually killed the children and framed his wife. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026 As public support for Clancy grew by the day, online sleuths went to work challenging the prosecution’s narrative, closely scrutinizing witnesses and criticizing authorities for not investigating certain details more aggressively. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026 Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 Amateur sleuths, armchair lawyers and influencers have turned the soon-to-conclude trial into snackable, whodunit content, dissecting every detail and advancing their own theories across TikTok and other social platforms. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleuth

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth

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

slept out

sleuth

sleuthhound

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Style

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

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Synonyms of sleuth

noun

Example Sentences

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