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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private detective
Per the report, citing one of three sources familiar with the matter, U.S. authorities believe the DCI Group, a public affairs and lobbying company working for Exxon back in 2015, had compiled a list of targets and provided them to an Israeli private detective, who then outsourced the hacking.
—
Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The series follows John Sugar (Farrell), a private detective in Los Angeles.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
In the late 1960s, the producer Monty Berman came up with an idea for a show titled Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) — called My Partner the Ghost in the U.S. — about two private detectives: Jeff Randall, played by Mike Pratt, and Marty Hopkirk, played by Cope.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
Cher was once tailed by private detectives hired by Sonny Bono.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private detective 
Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The series follows John Sugar (Farrell), a private detective in Los Angeles.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
In the late 1960s, the producer Monty Berman came up with an idea for a show titled Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) — called My Partner the Ghost in the U.S. — about two private detectives: Jeff Randall, played by Mike Pratt, and Marty Hopkirk, played by Cope.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
Cher was once tailed by private detectives hired by Sonny Bono.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private detective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private detective
Noun
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According to detectives, the couple made statements that concerned them during that visit, 48 Hours reports.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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Lynch played the detective, and his voice and delivery is a big part of what makes this piece such a riveting, hilarious watch.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The forum is dominated by anonymous posts about would-be applicants complaining about waiting months to hear back from background investigators.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Eleven fire departments from surrounding regions responded to the blaze, which investigators determined was arson, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In that time, Will has started over as a private eye in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
7 Jan. 2025
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When a judge tentatively allowed the music to bang on this fall, sonic private eyes and city officials patrolled the neighborhood with microphones and decibel meters, gathering ammunition for the battle.—
Katie Thornton,
Rolling Stone,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The wide-ranging scandal centered on private investigators who illegally hacked into the voicemails of news subjects and gathered information for Murdoch’s tabloids.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
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Accusations of privacy invasions Harry accuses the company's journalists and private investigators of unlawfully gaining access to his personal information over many years.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near private detective
Cite this Entry
“Private detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20detective. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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