PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Synonyms: 22 Similar Words

private investigator

noun

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

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 private investigator In an interview with a neighbor, the private investigators learned that there was a cargo van outside the house at the time. — Jeremy Greenberg, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Priestley and Sampson are reprising their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 What begins as a brief stop turns into a much longer stay when Reacher meets Michelle Chang, a former FBI agent turned private investigator who’s searching for her missing colleague, Keever. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026 Maria Sten, a regular in seasons two and three of Reacher, plays the title character, a private investigator in Chicago and Jack Reacher’s former colleague in the Army’s 110th Special Investigations Unit. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for private investigator

Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator

Noun

Michelle Monaghan plays detective Amanda Beck, with Hamish Linklater and Owen Teague also starring.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Psychiatrists need to be good detectives during the entire process, even after a patient is on a medicine.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of detective

Noun

At Fox Hollow, investigators started with remains but few clues about their identities.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Joseph Weiss was charged in 2023 with lying to federal investigators about his brother’s reputed mob ties, including his previous contacts with Schweihs and Dominic.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigator

Noun

Next month, Minotaur Books will publish the private detective mystery Killer Vibes by Jack Friday–or as readers will recognize him, John Fram.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
The book introduced readers to Easy Rawlins, a private detective in mid-20th-century Watts who would go on to figure into more than 15 novels (and counting).

— Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026

Definition of private detective

Noun

That’s how John Sugar goes from conscientious private eye to would-be assassin.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026
There are vivid characters—the rich, distinguished crook Brandon, the platinum-blond secretary Miss Vermilyea; Javonen, ex-military intelligence, and seedy private eye from Kansas, Noble, who might have lurched out of an early Graham Greene story.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of private eye

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private eyes

private investigator

private investigators

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“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of private investigator

noun

Example Sentences

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