as in detective
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
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Recent Examples of private investigator
The premise is pretty standard: An unlucky-in-love wedding planner is mapping out her cousin’s engagement but falls for her cousin’s ex, who’s a private investigator.
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Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Set in a society ruled by sentient AI, the film follows a private investigator who stumbles upon a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord while investigating a murder case.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024
Some Trump advisers have proposed that the president-elect should move the task of conducting background checks on high-level nominees from the FBI to private investigators.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, private investigator Julie (Estrada) seeks an investigative assistant but isn't in the market to hire a young whippersnapper.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Set in a society ruled by sentient AI, the film follows a private investigator who stumbles upon a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord while investigating a murder case.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024
Some Trump advisers have proposed that the president-elect should move the task of conducting background checks on high-level nominees from the FBI to private investigators.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, private investigator Julie (Estrada) seeks an investigative assistant but isn't in the market to hire a young whippersnapper.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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During a Monday news conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said detectives were traveling to Altoona, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, to interview Mangione.James Powel, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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Joseph Kenny, the NYPD's chief of detectives, confirmed Monday that the note is now in the possession of the Altoona Police Department.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Kenny added that investigators found evidence that Mangione knew of UnitedHealthcare's annual investor conference in New York City.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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Federal investigators began looking into Jafari-Hassad’s operation in 2019.Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Cher was once tailed by private detectives hired by Sonny Bono.Marina Watts, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
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The premise is an 83-year-old widower answers an ad in the paper and becomes an undercover private detective.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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