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
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) A box-office disappointment, this adaptation of the Walter Mosley novel actually got more attention for then-newcomer Don Cheadle’s scene-stealing turn as a lunatic associate of Washington’s main character, the cool, calculating private eye Easy Rawlins.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2024
Once there, he gets wrapped up in a mystery, befriends a private eye named Perry (Val Kilmer), and reconnects with Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), a childhood crush.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
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.
—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
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2024
Once there, he gets wrapped up in a mystery, befriends a private eye named Perry (Val Kilmer), and reconnects with Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), a childhood crush.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
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.
—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
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eye
Noun
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This is a complex incident, and detectives continue to work through all aspects of the investigation.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Heidenreich has denied involvement in his girlfriend's death, per the AAP, despite admitting that his stepfather — a former Cairns police officer — was friendly with a detective working on the murder case.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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According to authorities, investigators have not found any evidence indicating the victim was responsible for the ATV thefts.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
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Two people who had been shot were found dead inside a Thornton home on Wednesday that investigators believe was intentionally set on fire, police said.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Winbush plays a former FBI agent and old friend of Ted's who now works as a private detective, according to Variety.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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In the stylish crime-drama Farrell plays John Sugar, a private detective who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a big-time Hollywood producer’s granddaughter while battling some personal demons of his own.—
Jennifer M. Wood,
WIRED,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The lawyers said a private investigator identified witnesses who could testify that Davis was not at the scene of the shooting.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
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Playground Productions acquired the franchise rights in 2024, even hiring a private investigator to track down the rights.—
Jake Lang,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eye. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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