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 funds will help pay for a private investigator, rewards, posters and more.
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Atlas hired a private investigator to contact Babel Street.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2024
This was discovered after Kirat hired a private investigator to find Bobby, only to find that the real Bobby had no recollection or knowledge of their relationship.
—Charley Ross, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2024
Desperate for answers, the family hired a private investigator in Houston who specializes in these types of cases.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator 
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Atlas hired a private investigator to contact Babel Street.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2024
This was discovered after Kirat hired a private investigator to find Bobby, only to find that the real Bobby had no recollection or knowledge of their relationship.
—Charley Ross, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2024
Desperate for answers, the family hired a private investigator in Houston who specializes in these types of cases.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigator
Noun
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In 2010, cold case detectives recovered additional items and sent them for DNA testing, leading to the DNA profile of a male suspect.Alaa Elassar, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
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Police said no suspects were in custody and that area detectives were investigating the shooting.Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The lieutenant also said investigators have taken statements from the dozens of witnesses who were in the area, and are also gathering video surveillance.NBC San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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Mike Morgan, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said Thursday that investigators were leaning toward ruling the start of the fire as human-caused.Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
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According to the lawsuit that Rocky later filed, the father of seven claimed Kevin hired a private detective to investigate Keiko.Alex Gurley, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
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There is a big difference between hiring a skilled private detective and pulling an OSINT report at your convenience.Tom Madsen, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
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 1 Dec. 2024.
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