as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
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Recent Examples of private eye
The indie is set in a near future society ruled by sentient artificial intelligence and has a private eye investigate a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord.
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Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The series mixes the everyday with the inexplicable beautifully, with a standout performance by Cynthia Erivo as an eccentric private eye.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
The report also indicates the two have taken care to keep their romance out of the private eye for what seems to be a substantial amount of time.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2024
Worse yet, a seedy private eye (Kevin Bacon) starts invading Maxine’s personal space and threatens to expose her murderous past.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private eye 
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The series mixes the everyday with the inexplicable beautifully, with a standout performance by Cynthia Erivo as an eccentric private eye.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
The report also indicates the two have taken care to keep their romance out of the private eye for what seems to be a substantial amount of time.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2024
Worse yet, a seedy private eye (Kevin Bacon) starts invading Maxine’s personal space and threatens to expose her murderous past.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private eye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eye
Noun
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Homicide detectives are investigating deaths at several locations, said Nicole Nishida, communications director for the Sheriff’s Department.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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But then detectives told him a woman matching his wife’s description was found, dead, along the freeway.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Specifically, the lawsuit names the Santa Fe District Attorney, a special prosecutor, and three investigators from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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The 30 Rock star filed a civil lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators from his previous criminal manslaughter trial in Santa Fe on Thursday.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-87, the CBS primetime soap about a wealthy California wine family.Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2024
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Created by Michael Schur, the series follows Charles, a widower and retiree, who is hired by a private detective named Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) and goes undercover at a local San Francisco nursing home to solve a theft.Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Despite enlisting the help of her private investigator best friend, Stacey (Jessica Plummer), Kat can’t seem to track down Josh.Yasmin Garaad, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
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Working with a private investigator can help with that.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near private eye
Cite this Entry
“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eye. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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