detective

[dih-tek-tiv] / dɪˈtɛk tɪv /

NOUN

investigator of crime

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agent informer police officer private eye private investigator prosecutor reporter sleuth spy

STRONG

analyst bloodhound bull constable cop dick eavesdropper eye fed fink flatfoot gumshoe nark peeper roper scout sergeant shadow shamus shoofly snoop tail

WEAK

P.I. Sherlock Holmes bird dog plainclothes officer slewfoot

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When the detective asked her to take a polygraph, she consented.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Had five students done what a veteran homicide detective had failed to do more than 30 years earlier?

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

The entertainment was provided by comedian Bob Hope and actor, Telly Savalas, best known for playing the lollipop-loving, TV detective, Kojak.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Was there someone who ... was powerful who let him off the hook, and I just thought it was a good time to take a new look at it like a cold case detective would.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Aunt Kitty seemed to value her detective work far above anything else in her life—especially a long-lost, sniveling kin.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

detective

Example Sentences

Related Words